Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress of conspiring to weaken India while questioning the intention behind the CPI (M)’s election manifesto promise to dismantle all nuclear weapons in the country.

Mr Singh also demanded to know the Congress’ stand on the issue and said that “talking about destroying our nuclear weapons is no less than playing with national security.”

“I want to ask Congress in particular what they have to say about this comment by CPIM. I want to ask them to clarify. CPIM says if they come to power, they will destroy all nuclear weapons. India’s first nuclear tests were conducted in 1974 by Indira Gandhi. The need arose because China had continuously been doing nuclear tests. And even Pakistan had begun its nuclear trials,” the defence minister said while addressing a public rally in Kerala’s Kasargod.