Silchar (Assam), Apr 13: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Lal Krishna Advani for releasing the terrorists during Kandahar hijack episode in 1999-2000.

"Even the Parliament was attacked during Advani's tenure as Union Home Minister. The BJP and other communal parties who alleged that Congress encourages division should remember that Congress has never allowed secessionist forces to thrive and will never allow it in future," Sonia Gandhi said while addressing an election rally here.

Gandhi further said that only Congress-led Central Government could provide an effective leadership to people to combat the terrorism.

"The government and security forces alone cannot tackle the problem. The people have to unite to fight against these forces. To unite the people, it is very important to provide effective leadership and only Congress can provide an effective leadership in this regard," she added.

Gandhi reiterated that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was the most suitable candidate for the post of Prime Minister in the country with his "total honesty and experience". (ANI)