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CPI (M) flays attempts to divide people

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday flayed “attempts by certain organisations to ape Maharashtra Navanirman Sena in driving a wedge between people belonging to different groups and regions in the Union Territory through a poster campaign”.

Addressing a press conference here, secretary of the CPI (M)’s Puducherry unit V. Perumal said some outfits, against the backdrop of the controversies involving Health Minister E. Valsaraj and former Welfare Minister P. Angalane, had launched a campaign “inciting passions based on caste, language and religion”. Such tendencies would be detrimental to national integration, he said.

He made it clear that such attempts would not succeed in the UT, which had succeeded in maintaining unity among people belonging to different regions, following different faiths and speaking different languages.

However, he called for “stern action by the UT government against such vicious campaign”. The issue was discussed in detail at the Secretariat of the Puducherry unit of the CPI (M), Mr.Perumal said, adding that the party was not in favour of Mr. Valsaraj continuing as Minister. This was in view of the probe by the Vigilance Department into the allegation against him in the purchase of land for a B.Ed. college in Mahe in the cooperative sector. He should step down as Minister to ensure a free and fair probe. If the Minister did not come forward to quit on his own, he should be removed from the Cabinet, he added. The Mahe unit of the CPI (M) had already written to the Lt.Governor and the Chief Minister in this regard, he said.

The CPI (M) would not support the demand voiced by some sections to re-induct Mr. Angalane in the Ministry, as cases were pending against him in courts in Puducherry and Chennai,.

The party’s stand on these issues would be highlighted during the street plays and campaign by cultural troupes in Puducherry and Karaikal regions on March 8, 9 and 13, Mr. Perumal said.

The CPI (M) unit also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the income and assets of sitting MLAs, former legislators and leaders of political parties covering a period of 20 years.

Flaying attempts to sell government land for private agencies, he said the CPI (M) would oppose them as many government offices were still located in rented buildings.

Mr. Perumal also criticised the “unruly behaviour” of the local body representatives at council meetings. They should strive to focus on the people’s issues.

The government should also ensure that powers were delegated to them as per the Panchayat Raj and Nagarpalika Acts, he said.

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