President, VP condemn Mumbai blasts; PM talks to Maha CM

New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) Indian President Pratibha Patil
and Vice President Hamid Ansari Wednesday condemned the terror
attacks in the western Indian city Mumbai.
The President has condoled the loss of lives in these
blasts, a Rashtrapati Bhawan (Indian Presedential Palace)
statement said.
"The President wishes speedy recovery to those injured in
the incident in Mumbai," it added.
Ansari expressed deep shock at the scale of the attacks
targeted against innocent people causing numerous fatalities
and casualties, a statement from the Vice President's
Secretariat said.
Such acts are aimed at destabilising the nation, he said
and urged all citizens to unite in this critical hour.
Ansari expressed deepest condolences to the families of
those killed and injured in the attacks.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke
with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and asked
him to keep the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) posted on the
developments.
Singh also spoke with his Home Minister P Chidambaram and
asked him to do everything needful in the matter.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran L K Advani also
spoke with Chidambaram to seek an update on the developments.
The BJP strongly condemned the attack in Mumbai and asked
the government to take a determined stand to deal with the
menace.
Three serial blasts rocked crowded areas of Mumbai this
evening killing at least 13 people and injuring about a
hundred.
Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian parliament) Speaker
Meira Kumar condemned the dastardly act.
"I am deeply pained to learn about the loss of many lives
during serial blasts in Mumbai. I convey my heartfelt
condolences to the bereaved members of the families of those
who have lost their lives," she said.
"I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who have
been injured in the serial blasts," Kumar said.
Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Ajit Singh has also
condemned the blasts.