PM's trying to mislead nation about Cong stand on national security: Azad

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday claimed the NDA government has a "poor record" in dealing with terrorism and national security, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to "mislead the nation" regarding Congress' stand on these issues.

The Congress leader alleged that a record number of major terrorist attacks on vital Army and security forces installations have taken place during Modi's rule with terrorism and infiltration being at their peak.

"We seek an apology from the prime minister for trying to mislead the nation about the Congress' stand against terrorism and national security issues by stating that it wants to withdraw forces from Kashmir and compromise national security.

"The Congress is committed to effectively dealing with terrorism and plugging infiltration from across the border," Azad said.

Canvassing for party candidate Vikramadatiya Singh in Kishtwar and Doda districts under Udhampur parliamentary constituency, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said Modi has no right to talk about national security in view of the "poor record" of his government on this front.

Referring to Modi's address at an election rally in Kathua, Azad said the prime minister's comments that the Congress wants to withdraw forces from Kashmir and would compromise national security are "blatant lies".

"It is totally misleading the nation as the Congress is committed to an uncompromising approach in dealing with terrorism and further strengthening security along borders to plug infiltration. The Modi government has failed to contain infiltration and cross-border terrorism," he alleged.

The series of terror attacks on forces in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere, and the record number of infiltration and death of jawans along the borders and in the hinterland speaks of the "failure" of the Modi government on national security, the Congress leader said.

"The Modi government utterly failed to plug infiltration and contain militancy in Kashmir which is evident from the prevailing security situation in the state and along the borders," he said