The ongoing war of words between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and BJP Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani on terrorism was ‘petty’ and should stop, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat said.

"The petty bickering of Manmohan Singh and L K Advani on the issue of terrorism is an insult and added injury to the people of affected states like Assam," she told reporters.

"It would be in the interest of the country that such petty bickering stopped and they work together towards building a strong nation and take action against anti-nationals," Karat said.

Alleging that the "flag of secularism" was not safe in hands of the Congress, she stressed the need for an alternative secular Central government.

"The flag of secularism is not safe in Congress hands because it is compromised with the Hindutva forces. There is total lack of action against organisations involved in the incidents of Malegaon, Hyderabad, Mangalore and Kandamahal," Karat said.

Congress, she said, was resorting to "double standards" in the name of secularism. It knew about the activities of SIMI, but the government has not banned it, she alleged.

"Congress is betraying people in the name of secularism.

Therefore, there is the need for an alternative secular government at the Centre," Karat, a Rajya Sabha member, said.