Mysuru: Why mix politics, security issues? ask Former CM Siddaramaiah

Mysuru: Former CM Siddaramaiah on Friday warned against politicising the present Indo-Pak tension, stressing that it was security of the nation and the well-being of the soldiers that were of paramount importance now.

He was responding to a question by reporters here on whether he believed the BJP was trying to gain political mileage from tackling Pakistan sponsored terrorism on Indian territory. "This is a question of national security. I will not bring politics into it, although they (the BJP) could be doing it. State BJP chief, Yeddyurappa's statement that the party will win 22 seats following this, has left everyone suspicious about their political motive. The Pakistanis themselves have commented on it," he observed.

Recalling that when the late Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister the country had fought wars with Pakistan too, which ended with that country surrendering Bangladesh in 1971, he said, " Security of the nation, protection of its people, and the well- being of soldiers, who sacrifice for us, is very important. No one should do politics with regard to the security of the nation. Protecting the nation and its 130 crore people is the responsibility of the government."

On the release of IAF pilot, Abhinandan, who was captured by the Pakistanis and later released, he said, "He was supposed to be released. I welcome it."