A stringent law like POTA was need of the hour in view of terror stalking several states, he told reporters in Jaipur after visiting the places ravaged by Tuesday's serial blasts in the Pink City.

Guided by vote bank politics, the UPA government, soon after assuming office, repealed POTA, Advani, who visited the injured in hospitals and enquired about their condition, said.

He said UPA government's weak reponse to tackle terror had emboldened militants, adding its campaign against POTA was ‘most irresponsible, short-sighted and inimical to national interests’.

"What is worse, the Congress and its allies took pride in having disarmed law enforcement agencies of the most potent weapon to combat terror," Advani said.