Bangalore, November 13, 2006 (PTI)

NDA Convenor George Fernandes has strongly opposed demilitarisation of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, saying vacating the glacier by India would mean inviting Pakistan to "come in without any botheration".

"It has to be resisted. It is not just concerned with those involved in defence matters. The whole country should stand up to oppose it", Fernandes said.

The former Defence Minister said, "handing over the glacier to Pakistan will mean inviting them to come in without any botheration" and cited the China factor also.

Asked about the fate of the Indo-US nuclear deal in the light of the victory of Democrats in elections to the American Senate and regaining control of Congress, he said, "from the look of it, it does not seem to be going through. The Democrats have their own views on this".

On Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's memoir, "In the Line of Fire" and references contained in it about the Kargil war (when Fernandes was defence minister), he said he had not gone through the book.

But, Fernandes said, "from whatever people say, it is all rubbish. Musharraf is trying to project himself as the one who can keep his country going. He has said things which are stupid or some things which have not happened".

On NDA, he said it would be strengthened and "it has to be strengthened". Ahead of the coming Parliament session, the NDA would hold a meeting, he said.

"I will do my best to see that we expand our membership". NDA would take up issues relating to price rise and farmers, among others, he said.