Home Minister has no perception to handle national security: BJP

New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) Alleging that Home Minister Shivraj Patil had no commitment to national security or ''the country at large but visibly loyal to the Congress high command,'' the BJP today asserted that Mr Patil was not qualified to hold the portfolio of internal security as he had no perception to handle the issue.

Talking to newspersons, BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said Mr Patil was in the Cabinet, only because he was loyal to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Expressing concern over the recent serial blasts ''right under the throne of power,'' in Delhi, Mr Rudy said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Patil would not escape responsibility for the lapses as they were briefed on the possible terrorists attack by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, several days ahead of the incidents.

''The Prime Minister must categorically answer, who is accountable, especially, when the Home Minister claimed that the government was aware of possible attack in Delhi much before the intimation made by Mr Modi,'' he said.

With this, the Government had admitted its failure on terror front and the Prime Minister must clarify, whether he still wanted to continue with the same Home Minister, Mr Rudy added.

The BJP also asked the Dr Singh, whether the National Security Advisor had advised the Government for having a strong anti-terror law like POTA, which was turned down by the Home Ministry.

Besides, he also suggested the anti-terror laws being formulated by some BJP-ruled states should also be allowed and supported.

On Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's remarks that the serial blasts were the result of the failure of the intelligence reports, Mr Rudy said, ''Mr Prasad had already clarified his position by welcoming lift of ban on SIMI, accused of recent blasts through its militant outfit, Indian Mujahideen.'' UNI KAS LPB HS1717