Modi "replies" to PM's attack, accuses him of kowtowing

GUJARAT: A day after prime minister Manmohan Singh unleashed his sharpest attack against L K Advani, BJP leader Narendra Modi hit back, accusing him of "kneeling down" and the Congress of displaying "helplessness" on security issues whenever in power.

"What was Congress doing during the Indo-China war of 1962. I want to ask the Prime Minister who is saying that Advani was wringing his hands, what was the Congress doing with their hands then. Today also thousands of thousands of acres of Indian land is with China," Modi said addressing A public rally in Balasinor town of Kheada district here.

"Even today half of Kashmir is occupied by Pakistan, what kind of strength does it show. I want to ask if the Prime Minister is kneeling down due to helplessness of Congress or is it part of your habit?" Modi asked.

The Prime Minister had yesterday attacked Advani for his "melting" before terrorists during the Kandahar hijack episode, of "wringing his hands" during the 2002 Gujarat riots and "weeping in a corner" when the Babri Mosque was demolished.

Modi also raised the issues of Charar-e-Sharif seige, the Rubaiyat kidnapping episode and the 26/11 attacks.

"Instead of attacking Pakistan what they did was made a CD of TV footage of Mumbai attack, made a file of newspaper cutting, put them in a box and the home minister took it to the US. There they cried that our neighbour has beaten us please help us," Modi said, adding, "this is perfect example of helplessness of the government."