Terming the twin bomb blasts in Varanasi as a "terrorist act", Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav hinted at the role of a Pakistan- based terror outfit behind them and said the state government would work together with the Centre to solve the case.
Addressing a crowded press conference at the Circuit house, Yadav said Tuesday's blasts were "definitely an act of terrorism". Referring to an encounter at Gosainganj near Lucknow today, in which a terrorist was killed by the Special Task Force of the state police, Yadav said he had been told that the slain terrorist was a Pakistani.
He expressed confidence that those behind the blasts would be identified after a thorough investigation. To a question, Yadav said he was getting full co-operation from the Centre and also commended Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for evincing deep concern over the tragedy.
The said he has spoken to Patil five times since the blast and "The Centre is extending all possible help."
Rejecting the contention that the blasts had imposed a moral responsibility on the state government he said such incidents also took place in other parts of the country.
Reposing his faith in the STF, he said the force had successfully nabbed the culprits in last year's terrorist attack on the Ramjanmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya in one month and exuded confidence that Tuesday's blast would also be successfully solved.
On the opposition's demand for the dismissal of his government, Yadav said there must not be any attempt to gain mileage out of acts of terror. He said all aspects of the tragedy, including laxity or failure of the district administration, would form part of the investigation.
On suspended party MP Raj Babbar's apprehensions that there could be attempts to engineer communal violence in the state, Yadav quipped that there is no point giving any credence to the people who have a "medieval mentality"
On being asked about Congress President Sonia Gandhi's visit to the city late Tuesday night, Yadav said: "She did right by rushing here immediately" but hastened to add that state PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav had already arrived before her.
He made a fervent appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony in the state and spoil the designs of the terrorists.