New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS): Cutting across the political divide, political parties Thursday unanimously condemned the attack on union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar here.

The Congress party termed the attack as "condemnable" and alleged that BJP leader Yashwant Sinha's statement on price rise incited the attacker to resort to violence. However, the BJP said it has never supported violence and condemns the act.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke to Pawar and condemned the assault.

"The act is unfortunate and condemnable and these things should not happen in a democracy. We think it is because of Yashwant Sinha's statement, because of which the youth resorted to violence," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "We condemn the attack but the Congress' statement on BJP is irresponsible. In fact, there is pain among the people on price rise which the government should feel."

"The prime minister and finance minister have nothing to offer to the people of this country," he added.

Pawar was Thursday slapped by a turbaned Sikh man, Harvinder Singh, who had also attacked former telecommunications minister Sukh Ram outside a court here four days ago.

Singh whipped out his kirpan (small knife, a Sikh religious symbol) when security guards tried to overpower him. He was detained by the police.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said: "The party has never supported violence. The differences should be told in a non-violent way. Sharad Pawar is a non-violent and a good human being."

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh also called the act condemnable and said "the guilty must be punished".

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said: "These jokers, who seek publicity by these acts, must be taught a lesson."

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule, the daughter of Pawar, urged party members not to react and forget the incident.

Minister of Science and Technology and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said: "People may have anger but this is not the way to express anger. The act is highly condemnable and should be investigated thoroughly. Sharad Pawar is such a tall leader."