Kerala - Kottayam   

CPI(M) appeasing minorities: Ravi

Staff Reporter

`Iran vote' being made an issue

KOTTAYAM: Vayalar Ravi, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, has criticised the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for raising issues of foreign affairs as part of its strategy to appease minorities in the coming Assembly elections.

Participating at a meet-the-press programme here on Monday, Mr. Ravi said it was unfortunate that `Iran vote' was being made an issue in certain parts of the State.

This amounts to communalisation of a foreign affairs issue, he said adding that the Muslim community is unnecessarily being dragged into such issues. The CPI(M) which criticised the United Democratic Front (UDF) for joining hands with the People's Democratic Party has now no qualms in seeking its support. It has joined hands with those who left the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and formed the Indian National League even as it criticises the Congress for its alleged `communal affiliation' with the IUML.

He did not believe that there was any anti-UDF consolidation among the minorities. The work done by the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre in safeguarding minority interests would stand the UDF in good stead to fight the LDF's misinformation campaign.

According to him, one of the major achievements of the UDF Government in the State is its success in hammering out a consensual formula for implementing the vexed issue of the Narendran Commission recommendations. That the UDF Government could earn the confidence of social organisations which represent the interests of various stake-holding communities is a real achievement, he said.

Reacting to a question, Mr. Ravi said the criticism being levelled by Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan against politicians having links with mafias and sex rackets was part of the inner- party struggle going on in the CPI(M). He said the UDF would come out with added strength in the Travancore-Cochin area while it would hold its position in the Malabar area in the elections. The UDF is confident of coming back to power as it is seeking mandate on the basis of the good works it has done and the changes it could effect in the mindset of even Opposition parties with regard to the issue of development.

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