New Delhi: Shiv Sena, a key ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally, on May 2 reacted strongly to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's decision to appoint a High Commissioner to Pakistan and restore air links on a reciprocal basis, but Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Opposition Congress welcomed the moves.

Terming Vajpayee's announcements in Parliament as "unnecessary", Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP) Sanjay Nirupam said, "There has been no change in the behaviour of Pakistan, cross-border terrorism continues even today. What is the need for us to change (our stand)?

"Till recently, we accused Pakistan of funding the Hurriyat Conference, stopped over flight right to their aircraft, stopped the bus to Lahore. There has been no perceptible change in the situation. Then what prompts us to change our attitude towards them?" he asked.

Cautiously welcoming the Prime Minister's initiative, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said his party always advocated bilateral talks, but the issue of cross-border terrorism needed to be sorted out.

"Congress always advocated bilateral talks, but the issue of cross border terrorism is in the way. Government should not yield to any pressure when dealing with it," he said.

Welcoming the announcements, BJP spokesman V K Malhotra said the government had made it clear that the talks could be held only after Pakistan dismantles "terror structures and stops cross-border terrorism".

"Talks can take place only when these conditions are met," Malhotra said.

National Conference MP Abdul Rashid Saheen termed the move as a "good step" and said, "We hope this will help in restoring peace, especially in Jammu and Kashmir."

Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman said Pakistan must "assure us on (ending) cross-border terrorism" and hoped that Vajpayee's initiative would not go the Agra way.

PTI