The Hindu : CPI(M) takes umbrage at Venkaiah's remarks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 26, 2003

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CPI(M) takes umbrage at Venkaiah's remarks

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI APRIL 25. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today took exception to the remarks made by the BJP chief, M. Venkaiah Naidu, with regard to the political climate in West Bengal.

At a Trinamool Congress-BJP rally at Kolkata on Thursday, Mr. Naidu had asserted that the Centre would not be a spectator if the CPI (M) `strangulated democracy'. The statement was with reference to allegations regarding the panchayat elections in the State.

Contesting it at a press conference, the CPI (M) Parliamentary Party leader, Somnath Chatterjee, sought to know on what basis the BJP chief had levelled such charges. On the threat of Central intervention, the CPI (M) leader ridiculed the suggestion saying "it is like going to any market and purchasing a constitutional order''. He said the BJP was attempting to create confrontation among political parties.

Turning to the disinvestment of the oil majors, HPCL/BPCL, the CPI (M) alleged that the Government was in a position to `clinch the deal' despite having given an undertaking to Parliament.

He said almost all the major parties, including some NDA allies had opposed the move and pointed to opposition from the Samata Party, the Janata Dal (United) and the Shiv Sena. "If BJP members are allowed to vote freely, a major chunk will vote against it," he said.

Alleging that the BJP was adopting `double standards', he said this could be noticed in the attitude of the Government in not bringing forward the Women's Reservation Bill.

Stating that the Government was awaiting unanimity on the Bill, he wondered whether any Bill ever had such a backing and reminded that the Government had convened a joint session to enact POTA. On the move to amend the Anti-Defection Law, he said that on principle the party ratified disqualification of a single defector.

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