Leaders across party lines expressed concern over an assassination attempt on National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah in Jammu, with the opposition and Union government trading barbs in Parliament.
Abdullah, 88, had a miraculous escape on Wednesday night when a gunman fired at him from point-blank range while he was leaving a wedding function in Jammu's Greater Kailash area.
The accused, Kamal Singh Jamwal, a 63-year-old local businessman, told investigators he had been 'waiting for 20 years' to target the NC chief due to a personal grudge.
Abdullah credited his personal detail for saving his life, but questioned a conspicuous absence of local police despite the presence of dignitaries.
A case of attempt to murder and firing a weapon has been registered against Jamwal, who was produced in the Jammu court and allowed five-day police remand.
The incident dominated proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, leading to sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches.
