Patna, Dec 16: NDA convenor and former union minister George Fernandes today lambasted the Centre for remaining soft on China despite the fact that it was posing threats to India by claiming parts of Arunachal Pradesh (AP) as its own territory. Addressing a meeting of socialists here, Mr Fernandes said the China had claimed on some parts of the AP as its own territory recently but union government had not bothered to raise the issue with that country, so far. ''In recent times, activities of China near its international border with India were cause of concern as roads were being built and petrol pumps were being installed'', he added.

The UPA government at the Centre should quit the office if it was finding itself to deal with the sitution sternly, Mr Fernandes thundered and lamented that Congress president Sonia Gandhi also failed to raise these matter with China during her visit to that conuntry last month.

UNI