MAKING A POINT: CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan addressing a public meeting in old city on Saturday. - PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: Communist Party of India general secretary A.B. Bardhan has expressed concern that despite their efforts to champion the cause of the minority communities, Muslims in particular, the Communist parties could not secure support in the required measure.

"Muslims supported all the political parties including the Congress which extended only lip sympathy for their cause without alleviating their problems.

They might have not given their vote to Communists because they will not win anyway," he said.

Better representation

Addressing a public meeting organised in the old city on Saturday as part of the party's efforts to strengthen its presence there, Mr. Bardhan said the support of Muslims could have ensured more representation of the Left in the elected bodies for taking up their issues more effectively.

The veteran Communist leader, however, said neither was he complaining against Muslims nor did he come there on some `ordinary' work like seeking votes. Outlining the problems faced by Muslims who gave equal contribution towards nation's development, he said the minority community members did not find representation in either the Government jobs or in the armed forces.

This was proved by various committees constituted to study their conditions, including the Justice Rajendra Sachar commission recently.

Recommendations

"The committees and commissions are constituted regularly and they give their recommendations that are, however, not implemented. Do we construe the constitution of the committees as an eyewash?" he asked.

In this context, he expressed concern over the State Government's reported move to forcibly install digital meters in autorickshaws and demanded that the Government extend interest free loans to drivers for the purpose.

Mr. Bardhan earlier explained the stand taken by the Left on different issues including the Indo-Pak relations and asked the Muslim youth not to take arms or do anything in the fit of emotion that would help strengthen the cause of communal forces.

CPI State secretary K. Narayana, party's MP Aziz Pasha and others also spoke.

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