BJP's 'flip-flops' have emboldened Pak to release Lakhvi: Congress

The Congress party on Friday blamed the release of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi on the 'flip-flops' by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre.

"Lakhvi is the monster who had masterminded and micromanaged the entire 26/11 outrage. He was present in the control room giving directions to those terrorists to shoot down innocent men and women. Since 2008, the Pakistani Government: their entire establishment, including the judiciary, has been hell-bent on trying to ensure that Lakhvi is released into civilian life. The fact that they were not successful is because of the pressure of the UPA government through various instrumentalities," Congress leader Manish Tewari told ANI.

"But since the BJP has come to power, because of their flip-flops, Pakistan has felt emboldened through a collusive process between the prosecutors in the judiciary to release this most dreaded terrorist. The government should ask for the extradition of Lakhvi for the 26/11 case - either to India, or before an international tribunal, and pending that, must snap all contact with Pakistan," he added.

Former union minister and senior Congress leader Ambika Soni on her part said the ball is in Pakistan's court as far as peace talks are concerned and added that Islamabad is 'provoking' India with such a move.

"Lakhvi is among the 20 most wanted people we have been asking for and Pakistan has to show its intent for having peace between the countries for any meaningful dialogue to go on. India again took the initiative by sending the Foreign Secretary but if they continue to deliberately provoke the Indian Government then I don't know how far their sincerity is going to hold at all," she said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rajiv Shukla said that Pakistan is 'challenging' India by releasing Lakhvi, adding that Islamabad is not afraid of the BJP.

"Pakistan is not afraid of this government. They have offered red carpet welcome to Pakistan, so they are not afraid now. Pakistan is challenging the government by taking one step after the other," Shukla said.

"Releasing Lakhvi is a serious matter, now they are thinking that when we are releasing such people in Kashmir then it doesn't matter if they release," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Islamabad High Court declared Lakhvi's detention as 'illegal' and ordered his release.

Lakhvi is accused of planning, financing and executing the Mumbai attacks in 2008.