CPI(M) steps up war of words against BJP

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 8. In continuing its war of words with the BJP over the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee birth centenary function, the CPI(M) today took strong exception to the BJP's description of the Left as being ``anti- national''.

The CPI(M) politburo member, Mr. Sitaram Yechury, in a statement, said the charge applied more appropriately to the ``people who owe their parentage to the assassins of Mahatama Gandhi''. Nathuram Godse's brother in an interview to Frontline had ``clearly stated that both brothers were members of the RSS and he had accused the BJP of cowardice for concealing this fact''.

On Friday, the BJP's spokesman, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, had called the CPI(M) ``anti-national'' and an ``uncivilised party'' for not attending a function held in Calcutta to celebrate the birth centenary of the Jana Sangh/BJP leader, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.

Mr. Yechury said the Vajpayee Government had refused to observe the birth centenaries of ``supreme martyrs'' such as Ashfaqullah and Udham Singh and the sole aim of celebrating Mukherjee's birth centenary was for ideological propaganda. It amounted to a ``blatant misuse of office by the BJP'', Mr. Yechury said pointing out that recently the ``RSS annual function of Sindhu Yatra was converted into an official programme of the Government of India''.

The BJP as a party, he said, was welcome to observe any anniversary it wished to but it should not misuse official resources and in any case other parties were not obliged to attend such functions.

``It may be recalled that some sections of the saffron brigade had decided to observe the anniversary of the so-called martyrdom of those who demolished Babri Masjid. Now if they were to `officialise' such observance, can any reasonable patriot attend such functions?'' he asked.

The party questioned the RSS role in the freedom movement quoting a ``Bombay Home Department'' report to the British Government that ``the Sangh has scrupulously kept itself within the law and in particular has refrained from taking part in the disturbances that broke out in August 1942''.

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