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Ghulam Nabi accepts BJP's challenge for debate on Kargil

All-India Congress Committee general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad today said he was prepared for a debate with Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary M Venkaiah Naidu on the country's internal and external security.

Azad told reporters in Bellary: "I am ready for it today itself, provided it is on Doordarshan or Aaj Tak [a popular current affairs programme on the state-owned network]".

Stating that there are several differences between the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the Kargil operations, Azad said that in 1971 there was an aggression by Pakistan and Indian forces not only protected the borders but also ensured that Pakistan was reduced to its western half. Besides, 90,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken prisoner.

The BJP has taken the people for a ride on Kargil, he charged.

Accusing the government of keeping quiet for nine months after the intrusions began, he said the Congress possesses letters written by a brigadier posted on the frontier who had frequently informed the headquarters about the infiltration. But the government failed to act in time, he said.

It is unfortunate that the BJP and its allies have not announced any programme for the election. "Instead it is Kargil all over. I do not know how long they will drag on with this," he said.

On the personal attacks on Congress president Sonia Gandhi by leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Azad said the use of "street language" was not expected at least from ministers of the Union. "It is highly irresponsible and deplorable," he said.

As for criticism about Priyanka Vadra campaigning for her mother, he said: "If they can bring film stars for campaigning, why can Mrs Sonia Gandhi not bring her daughter?"

He said Gandhi and her daughter would visit Bellary again on September 2.

UNI

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