Wednesday, April 26 2006 14:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jabalpur (MP): Dubbing it as an unnecessary and extra-constitutional body, Leader of Opposition L K Advani today demanded disbanding the National Advisory Council, alleging it was created to give 'powers without any accountability' to the Congress President.

"The BJP was always of the view that the NAC is an unnecessary and extra-constitutional body created solely to provide a cover to Congress President (Sonia Gandhi) to exercise power without any accountability in the Union Government," the BJP leader told reporters before starting on the 15th day of his 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra here.

Alleging that NAC 'downgraded' the high constitutional office of Prime Minister, he asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to disband it since it was the duty of the PM's office to review and monitor functioning of the Government.

On the office-of-profit issue, Advani said the UPA Government should take people into confidence on the proposed legislation.

"The Opposition can only make its views known on the office-of-profit after the Government shares with us its thinking on the proposed legislation, planned to be introduced during second half of budget session from May 10," he added.

The proposed legislation should not undermine the rationale and logic evolved by the makers of the Constitution in Articles 102 and 103, the BJP leader said.

"The Government should not take easy way out by simply exempting a long list of offices from the category of offices of profit and thereby release them from purview of the constitutional provisions attracting disqualifications," the former BJP President said.

On BJP's stand about its MPs and legislators, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, allegedly holding offices of profit, Advani said, "We will do whatever is appropriate but will wait till Government makes its stand clear."

Accusing the Centre of failing to uplift the plight of farmers, Advani claimed that over 4000 farmers have committed suicide in Andhra Pradesh in recent days and similar incidents were reported in Maharashtra.

Asked about the security situation, he said "Unlike the UPA Government, there were no compromises struck with terrorists when we (NDA) were in power. Over 70 modules of Pakistan's ISI were traced and destroyed every year for six years during NDA rule. But in 2005, number came down to 15."

On expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti's plans to float a new party, Advani said "Everyone has a right to run his own party." Asked about the possibility of Bharti's return to BJP, he said party President Rajnath Singh has made it amply clear.

To a query, Advani said as Congress has deteriorated since independence, other parties have also seen the decline. BJP was also affected by 'Congressisation'.

"But I am proud that BJP workers, including the younger generation, work for the people's welfare without expecting any returns," he said.

Advani also asked naxal-hit BJP-ruled states to utilise the Central funds for modernisation of police force to deal with the menace.