UPA lacked the political will to boost border infrastructure: JP Nadda

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda attacked the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on the occasion of 21 years of Kargil victory, here on Sunday, for allegedly lacking the political will to bolster the border infrastructure and also for alleged defence scams during its rule. Stating that he didn't want to point fingers on the occasion of the Kargil Vijay Divas, Nadda said former Defence Minister A.K. Antony had said in Parliament India was lagging behind in terms of border infrastructure.

"In case of defence, we should know the reality. Yes, we were behind. Also, due to scandals then purchases (of weaponry) didn't take place," said Nadda addressing a gathering at the BJP headquarters.

He said either the UPA government lacked the political will or the acumen to meet the country's defence needs.

"Today, we can say with pride that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over, 36 Rafale fighter jets have come," said the BJP president.

Calling it the changing picture of defence preparedness, he said many Apache and Chinook helicopters had arrived, and bullet-proof jackets were being manufactured and exported from the country.

He said the Congress-led UPA government slept over 72 border projects, and added, all of them were "near completion" today under the leadership of Modi. (IANS)

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