Cong tells Patil to act fast on terror

NEW DELHI: With the UPA government's image coming under scanner over Home Minister Shivraj Patil's handling of internal security, his party Congress today delivered a blunt message to him to act fast on acts of terror in the country.

"The Home Minister is wise enough to understand the seriousness of the issue and take appropriate action," party General Secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters today.

He was asked what advice Congress would give to Patil after the serial blasts in Delhi. This came a day after party President Sonia Gandhi convened a meeting on internal security in which Patil was conspicuous by his absence. Even in the Congress Working Committee meeting held last week, Patil was the only important minister who did not speak.

Singh said the party is seriously concerned over the acts of terror and would like the central government to take tough measures on the issue. To a specific question whether Patil should be replaced, he said "I would not comment on this".

On Saturday's blasts in Delhi which brought Patil under intense pressure with opposition demanding his ouster, Singh said there are people who have to be accountable for it. "We have to be more vigilant," he said.

Asked who should be held accountable as law and order in Delhi falls under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry, he said "accountability has to start from Police Commissioner upwards".