New Delhi: Under attack from Congress over "appropriating" the credit for making India a nuclear power, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Apr 2, 2004) hit out at the main Opposition party asking it to come clear on whether the "nuclear button" should be in the hands of an Indian or a foreigner.

"We don't need a certificate from the Congress party, who has finally acknowledged that India has emerged as a nuclear power. We went ahead with the nuclear tests undeterred by international pressures including threat of economic sanctions," party Spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters in New Delhi.

Dubbing the Congress as a 'Jasoosi' (detective) party, he criticised it for making public "confidential and classified" documents like the minutes of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

"That they have sought to draw political mileage out of such issues of national security poses questions on their commitment to the nation. They should make it clear whether they want the nuclear button to be in the hands of an Indian or foreigner," Naqvi said in an apparent reference to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

When pointed out that the minutes were part of an address by Defence analyst K Subrahmanyam, Naqvi said, "it has no credibility and is doubtful. Moreover, no voting takes place in Cabinet meetings."