New Delhi: Attacking the Congress, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on June 26 said the party was neither apologetic nor had it ever defended itself over imposition of Emergency in 1975.

Speaking at a function at the party headquarters in New Delhi to mark the 28th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency by the then late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he said, "Those who imposed Emergency never once apologised for it nor did they ever defend it later," apparently indicating the Congress wanted to keep the options open for future.

He said during the Emergency excesses were committed by officials and ministers were also equally responsible.

Advani said there was need for people to remain alert and vigilant so that there was no repetition of the Emergency.

"The people of India never supported Emergency and they showed their anger against it when elections were held in 1977 and Congress was voted out," he said.

PTI