Kashipur\ Pithoragarh (Uttarakhand), April 29
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today tore into BJP’s claims of being tough on terror as he raked up the Kandahar hijack in which three terrorists were freed by the Vajpayee government. He also claimed that 22,000 people were killed in terror attacks during the six-year NDA rule.

Taking on the opposition party which has accused the Congress government of being soft on terror, he said the then BJP government bowed to hijackers while the Congress always stood up to terrorists. Rahul was referring to the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane in December 1999 during its flight from Kathmandu to Delhi. It was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan and three dreaded terrorists were freed in lieu of the passengers held hostage for about eight days.

Rahul addressed election meetings at Gauchar in Chamoli district and Almora and Kashipur in Kumoan region in Uttarakhand today.

He said 22,000 people, including soldiers, lost their lives in terror violence during the Vajpayee government between 1998 and 2004 because “the BJP bowed to the wishes of terrorists and it also practised the politics of anger”. On the contrary, 800 such deaths occurred during the five years of UPA-II regime, he said, crediting the Congress’ politics of “brotherhood and harmony” for the sharp decline.

Rahul said his party wanted to make India a manufacturing hub to check China which was rapidly capturing the Indian consumer market.

• The then BJP government bowed to the wishes of Kandahar hijackers
• As many as 22,000 people, including soldiers, lost their lives in terror violence during tenure of the Vajpayee government
• On the contrary, 800 such deaths occurred during the five years of UPA-II regime