Congress questions Advani's secular credentials

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Expressing surprise over the reported statement of BJP Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani that he was ''a secular person'', the Congress Party today described him as the 'protagonist of communal politics' which culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Mumbai serial blasts and several communal clashes thereafter.

''Some call him the Father of Fundamentalism in Independent India,'' AICC Spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told mediapersons, while damning Mr Advani's statement that he was ''a secular person'' and that he was ''not against Christians as he was a product of a school run by Christian missionaries.'' Dr Hamid said Mr Advani significantly made the statement in Shillong, as the number of Christians were substantial in Meghalaya.

''When he (Mr Advani) is in Pakistan, he is pro-Jinnah and when he is in Shillong, he is pro-Christian,'' he said adding ''On the one hand, Mr Advani preaches secularism. On the other, members of his Parivar attack the minorities.'' UNI SH SBC CS1800