BJP: Congress did nothing to punish attackers, PM bringing them to justice

NEW DELHI: BJP on Thursday said the extradition of Tahawwur Rana , one of the chief conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack , was a historic achievement of Modi govt and an assertion that India would never forgive, never forget. It also criticised Congress for "not doing anything" to punish those involved in the terror attack, which killed 166 people.

"During Congress's time, terrorists had attacked the very hotel we are standing in. People died here. However, Congress didn't do anything to punish those involved. The one who was caught, Kasab, was served biryani. Those who attacked our country... this is PM Modi's resolve to bring them to justice, and they get punished. Every Indian citizen is proud of PM Modi that those involved will be punished in this land," Union minister Piyush Goyal told reporters in Mumbai.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Rana's extradition was a major victory for all security, counter-terrorism , prosecution and intelligence agencies. He said the extradition reflected the resolve that India would not remain silent on terror attacks but would give a befitting reply. "India will neither forgive nor forget the terrorists," he added.

Poonawala said senior Congress functionaries even tried to create a "fake narrative", alleging that the attacks, including the one in Mumbai, were conspiracies by RSS and Hindus.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said the first resolve of the Modi govt was zero tolerance against crime.

Surender Singh, former National Security Guard commando who was part of the operation during the 2008 attack, said Rana's hanging would be a "tight slap" to Pakistan and terrorism. "It's a big day for the country. I thank PM Modi, the American president, and the agencies involved in this extradition process," Singh, now in BJP, said.