Advani criticises PM's silence on Indo-Pak joint statement in I Day speech

New Delhi/ Lucknow/ Srinagar, Aug. 15 (ANI): Senior BJP leader LK Advani on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for failing to mention the Sharm-e-Sheikh Indo-Pak joint statement in his Independence Day address.

"Balochistan was mentioned in the joint statement in a manner as if India is also using terrorism to create problems for Pakistan. The country hoped the Prime Minister would clarify on it in his address. His silence shows he is realising now that there is no defence of this step," Advani said.

Advani said the fight against terrorism should be accorded top priority.

Meanwhile, in her Independence Day speech, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati criticized the Central Government for ignoring development schemes initiated by her government. The Central government has still not released the 80,000 crore rupee package we sought for undertaking development schemes in the state, particularly for the backward regions in Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal," Mayawati said.

Mayawati said her government was aiming to make Uttar Pradesh a "power-surplus' state. "For this, we are making war-footing efforts. By 2014, we aim to provide a permanent solution to power cuts."

On the law and order situation, she said: "I want to make it clear that under any circumstances my government will not compromise with law and order."

In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his government would not tolerate human rights violations by the security forces and also apologised for the lapses in the probe into the rape and murder of two women in Shopian district.I cannot overlook the tragic incident that occurred at Shopian. I accept that there were mistakes by the administration and the government initially with regard to this incident," Abdullah said.

"I am sorry and apologise this. But my government is determined to bring the guilty to book in the Shopian incident," he added. (ANI)