Opposition, Supreme Court and public forced govt hand in marines row: BJP

On a day when the government patted itself on the back for its diplomatic success in making Italy send the two marines accused of killing fishermen back to India, the Opposition attributed the marines’ return to opposition, Supreme Court and public pressure.

On a day when the government patted itself on the back for its diplomatic success in making Italy send the two marines accused of killing fishermen back to India, the Opposition attributed the marines’ return to opposition, Supreme Court and public pressure.

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BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain credited the Supreme Court for the turn of events. “It is a result of the Supreme Court’s pressure and the government is patting itself on the back. If it thinks it’s a diplomatic win, let the government bring Dawood Ibrahim and 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Hafiz Sayeed from Pakistan.”

Another BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: “It was the combined effort of all opposition parties. The opposition persuaded the government, which then worked out a tough stand.”

The CPI also denied exclusive credit to the government for the marines’ return. “It is good Italy is sending them back, but the government cannot take the full credit,” CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta. Said. “The Congress can garland itself if it wants, but the truth is that credit must be given to public pressure, the pressure created by parliament, international pressure, and also to the stand the Supreme Court took.”

Italy had earlier refused to return the two marines — who were allowed to go to their country to cast their vote — to India for standing trial here, but agreed to send them back after days of diplomatic tensions.