The Hindu : National : Samajwadi Party committed to anti-communal plank: Surjeet

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Monday, Apr 26, 2004

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National

Samajwadi Party committed to anti-communal plank: Surjeet

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 25. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today rose to the defence of the Samajwadi Party, expressing confidence that its leader and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, would play a leading role in defeating the "communal offensive."

"In my recent meetings with Mulayam Singh Yadav and yesterday's meeting with the Samajwadi Party general secretary, Amar Singh, both the leaders have categorically assured that the party continues to remain committed to the anti-communal plank and in defence of secularism," the CPI (M) general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, said.

He said both the leaders had sought to dispel fears on this count and termed the propaganda by the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, and other National Democratic Alliance leaders as "deliberate and mischievous." Mr. Surjeet's statement comes in the wake of the recent statements by NDA leaders that the SP should join hands with the NDA after the general elections.

Mr. Surjeet said an impression was sought to be created that the SP had softened its earlier commitment to defend national unity and secularism.

The Congress said Mr. Fernandes' statement was an indication of the nervousness of the NDA, which was hunting for partners in the post-poll scenario even before the second phase of voting was over.

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