BJP exploiting 26/11 incident for political gains: Pranab

NEW DELHI: The first anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks on Thursday saw Leader of the Opposition LK Advani expressing concern over the relief to the victims and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee hitting back accusing the BJP of exploiting the 26/11 incident for political gains.

"You are making politics out of this. Earlier also you did it and were paid back. ... You will be again paid back in your own coin," an angry Leader of the House, Mukherjee, remarked in the Lok Sabha.

This followed BJP leader Anant Kumar's insistence that Mukherjee should respond to Advani's concerns over the state of relief and rehabilitation of the victims of 26/11 and the blasts in suburban trains.

Amid cries of 'shame, shame' from some members, Advani had said that out of 403 persons eligible for relief, only 118 have received cheques so far and while 64 of them were eligible for railway jobs, only 32 had received offers till now.

The Leader of the Opposition also suggested that a special cell be created in the home ministry, with an officer on special duty as its head, to look into the "problems of coordination" between 12 different agencies, including eight of the state government, involved in handling relief.

Speaker Meira Kumar sought to pacify an agitated Kumar saying it was a solemn occasion and one should maintain its solemnity. She told the member Mukherjee has already said he had come specially to hear Advani and has noted what he said.

In the Rajya Sabha too, BJP attacked the government for showing "negligence" in fulfilling the promises made to the family members of those killed and injured in the 26/11 attacks.