BJP workers, leaders target of blasts: K'taka minister

Congress party on Wednesday distanced itself from party leader Shakeel Ahmed's remarks -- that the blast near Bharatiya Janata Party’s office in Bangalore will help the Opposition party politically -- and said it does not view the problem of terrorism in terms of political benefit or loss.

"We all know terrorism is a national issue or problem, it is to some extent an international problem. We do not view the problem in terms of political benefit or loss," party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.

He said that the problem of terrorism should be a concern for all the citizens and should be tackled in an united manner.

"Whatever I am saying, I am saying on behalf of the party," Dwivedi insisted.

He was responding to Ahmed's remarks made on microblogging site Twitter.

Ahmed had tweeted, "If the blast near BJP's office in Bangalore is a terror attack, it will certainly help the BJP politically on the eve of election".

At least 16 people, including 11 policemen, were injured in the bomb blast ahead of the May 5 assembly polls.

Five civilians, including three women, were also injured in the blast.

It was described as a "clear act of terror" by Deputy Chief Minister and state Home Minister R Ashok, who said it was targeted at the party’s workers and leaders.

"It is a very clear act of terror. It is targeted at the BJP, our senior leaders and workers," Ashoka said.