Cong, NC and PDP slam PM for India's nuke arsenal not for Diwali remark

Leaders of the Congress and regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that India's nuclear arsenal is not for Diwali fireworks, calling it "boastful" and "irresponsible".

Modi made the remark at an election rally in Barmer in Rajasthan on Sunday while asserting that India is no more afraid of Pakistan's nuclear threats.

"India has stopped getting scared of Pakistan's threats, I have done right, no? Else every other day they(Pakistan) used to say 'we have nuclear button'....What do we have then? Have we kept it (nuclear button) for Diwali?" the prime minister told the gathering.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised Modi's remark as "irresponsible".

"PM Narendra Modi's election speeches and irresponsible statements point to the growing desperation in the BJP. Prime Minister's boastful claims of being ready for a nuclear missile attack on Pakistan and US intervention are uncalled for and not in interest of national security," Sharma tweeted.

Sharma's reaction was also in reference to Modi's comments in Patan in Gujarat that after Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was held by Pakistan, a senior American official on the second day said that "Modi has kept 12 missiles ready and might attack and the situation will deteriorate".

"Pakistan announced return of the pilot or else it was going to be a 'qatal ki raat'(a night of bloodshed)," the prime minister had said.

Sharma also said the Congress would like to remind Modi that these elections are about unemployment, farm distress and the betrayal of the voters on electoral promises.

Every Indian is proud of the valour of our forces and our nuclear capabilities, but the government cannot hide behind this, he said, adding, "India needs answers."