Given the mercurial attributes of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], it will not be surprising if that party which promotes beef festivals now will take the lead in calling for a ban on cow slaughter in the State within the next 10 years, State vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) George Kurien has said.
At a meet-the-press programme organised here on Thursday by the Press Club, Mr. George said the CPI(M) which had in the past taken pride in promoting atheism had of late started celebrating Sree Krishna Jayanti by organising shobha yatras.
Stating that the ‘beef curry’ incident at Kerala House in Delhi would not in any way affect the prospects of his party in the local bodies’ election, he alleged that the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) were making a mountain out of a molehill in the beef row to mask their failures.
He said the BJP would make handsome gains in the election. ‘‘But we will not take the support of either the LDF or the UDF to come to power in any local body in case of a hung verdict. This is a strong decision taken by the State unit of the party. But it would not be surprising if the LDF and the UDF joining hands to keep the BJP out.
Calling for the resignation of Finance Minister K.M. Mani in the light of Thursday’s Vigilance Court verdict, Mr. George said the Oommen Chandy Cabinet should also resign. The verdict was a big blow to the UDF government, he said.
Says party will make handsome gains in the election.
