'We have taken away BJP's political plank against Cong'

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh has termed Ajmal Kasab's hanging as the triumph of Indian judicial system.

Speaking to rediff.com, Singh said: "The hanging of Ajmal Kasab will give some solace to the relatives of the victims of 26/11. It is also the triumph of Indian judicial system, which gave (Kasab) enough legal aid to defend himself."

He further said, "We have shown to the world and a neighbour that the Indian legal system has given a full opportunity to even a terrorist. We handled the case keeping in mind the rights of the accused."

The minister declined to speak about the political impact of the execution, but agreed that the "Bharatiya Janata Party will not be able to allege now that we are soft on terrorism. We have taken away from them their political plank against the Congress. We have shown that we act decisively once legal hurdles are cleared."

When asked about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's question about fate of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, Singh said, "The issue is pending before the President of India."