Nation condemns blast; Govt. flayed for failure

Hyderabad, February 22 : A day after the powerful blast at the busy Dilshuknagar on the eastern side of city during rush hour, the nation stood united in condemning the heinous act but the Centre and State governments drew flak for their slackness.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, BJP President Rajnath Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad besides state leaders visited the spot and consoled the injured undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The bomb blast echoed in the Parliament as well, and it was adjourned with main opposition demanding a reply on the terrorist act.

Union Home Minister Shinde made a statement in the house give skeleton details but the main opposition BJP slammed the government for its slackness.

Condemning the incident, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said that terror should be fought tooth and nail. It is a case of failure of intelligence, she said while Venkaiah Naidu slammed the government in the upper house.

Earlier, the Parliament observed silence to condole the deaths in the blast.

The death toll continued to rise in the city hospitals where the injured were being treated. TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu visited the spot and consoled the victims at various hospitals. He said that that the State has failed to contain terrorism.

The YSRCP has described the blasts as a failure of State and Central governments.

State Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy said that the blasts were an attack on the nation.

No particular groups claimed responsibility and the case is referred to CB-CID, she said adding that they are working closely with Central agencies.

BJP President Rajnath Singh put the blame squarely on the Government and dubbed the incident as failure of intelligence. Union Minister Chiranjeevi said that internal security should be strengthened. Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy also toured the blast spot. BJP said in the parliament that terror should be firmly dealt with.

Meanwhile, the state cabinet held an emergency cabinet meeting to take stock of the situation.

Ghulam Nabi Azad after visiting the spot said it was dastardly act. INN