Politicking has begun over 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab’sexecution, with both Congress and the BJP attempting to score political browniepoints.
While the Congress is trying to go on the front foot,emphasising that the execution invalidates the opposition’s charge that the UPAis a soft government, the BJP tried to put the ruling party on the mat bycalling it a case of delayed justice. In a bid to go on the offensive the mainopposition also urged the government to play a more proactive role by goingafter terror handlers across the border and also carrying out Parliament attackconvict Afzal Guru’s conviction.
Within hours of Kasab’s hanging, Milind Deora, Congress MPfrom South Mumbai, the ground zero of the 72-hour terror attack startingNovember 26, 2008, and minister of state for information technology, tweeted:“So much for the right-wing sponsored ‘Congress is soft on terror’ debate! TheGovernment's actions make me a prouder Indian.”
Almost as if in reply, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussainsaid: "Better late than never. Kasab's hanging will act as a balm on thewounds of people of Mumbai but their wounds are still fresh. They will getrelief only when Kasab's handlers across the border are brought tojustice."
Upping the ante on the UPA government, Gujarat chiefminister Narendra Modi tweeted: “What about Afzal Guru, who attackedParliament, our temple of democracy, in 2001? That offence predates Kasab'sheinous act by many years.”
Inadvertently or not, the reply came from senior Congressleader Digvijaya Singh’s tweet: “Finally Kasab hanged. GOI should pursue thecase of the Handlers in Pakistan. Afzal Guru's case should also be expedited now.”
Stressing that Kasab's execution will serve as a warning tohis bosses across the border, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Thishanging sends a strong message to India's enemies.”
Staying off his usual ready wit, Rashtriya Janata Dalpresident Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “Kasab's crime was established in the courtof law and justice was accordingly served. Bad deeds will lead to a badoutcome.”
The survivors of Mumbai attack four years ago also endorsedgovernment’s decision of hanging Kasab. Amrita Raichand, one of many 26/11survivors, said, “I am so happy…I am jumping up and down! That fear has nevergone for four years. Finally there is some closure -- and there is some hopefor the future and in our government.”
K. Unnikrishnan, father of NSG commando Major Sandeep, whodied fighting the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks, said, “I have said inthe past during emotional moments that he (Kasab) should be hanged by thelamppost. But today I say it is done. This is one step (but) surely this is nota closure for us. The investigation must continue and the other culprits shouldbe booked by Pakistan, more than by India.”
