Govt lacks will to fight terror, concerned about vote bank: Advani

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Accusing the Congress of being more concerned about securing its vote bank than the country's security in the wake of continuous terror attacks, BJP leader L K Advani today said the Manmohan Singh government lacked the will and desire to fight terror that had wrecked the nation all over.

Speaking at the 'Vijay Sankalp Rally' to mark the beginning of the election campaign in Delhi, the party's Prime Ministerial candidate said the Congress-led government had nowhere shown that it intended to fight terror.

''It's due to its lackadaisical approach that Afzal's hanging stands suspended for over three years, Pakistani flags were hoisted in Assam and Kashmir, and money collected to support and fight terrorists cases, nowhere has the government shown its will or desire to fight terror.'' Besides, despite several terrorist acts in the last three years, no strong law had been brought to curb the menace, thereby giving an impression that it lacked the will and desire to face the challenge, he told the rallyists.

''Fortunately, the BJP is not a victim of vote bank politics and is capable of fighting terror in all its forms and manifestations.'' Warning the UPA government against resorting to Article 356 to bring down the Orissa government in the light of Kandhamal riots, Mr Advani said, ''the consequences for such a misadventure would be disastrous and prove very, very costly for them.'' Lauding the works done by Delhi BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate V K Malhotra during his tenure as Delhi Municipal Corporation chief, Mr Advani while endorsing his candidature for the post said that under him, Delhi would once again retain its lost glory.

''Our efforts should be to strengthen the nation under him.

beginning with Delhi.'' In his address Mr V K Malhotra said his effort and focus would be to make Delhi safe and free from fear.

''We have plans to make Delhi beautiful, safe and progressive, but not by uprooting others but through our own approach where people live away from the fear of terror and in peace and togetherness.'' Spelling out his priorities for the forthcoming Assembly elections, Mr Malhotra said that after his party comes to power, his first priority would be to get full land and building rights from the Centre along with full control over the police force.

''We will ensure full statehood for Delhi so that the problems like terror, and crime ensnaring Delhi are tackled effectively.'' For the first time, after announcement of V K Malhotra's candidature for the Delhi CM post, both earlier contenders -- state president Harsh Vardhan and party All India general secretary Vijay Goel -- came together, during today's rally, on the stage to support Mr Malhotra as party's 'would be CM' of Delhi.

UNI AN PK HT1942