JOIN USLeft parties on Tuesday trained their guns on Narendra Modi, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, describing him as the “face of communalism.”
Brinda Karat, a member of Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo, said Modi was a “rabid” face of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). CPI leader D Raja said the Gujarat chief minister was a “polarising” figure.
Speaking on the sidelines of a massive rally in the City, Karat alleged that Modi was a “purveyor” of communal politics. She claimed the BJP “distributed skull caps and burqas among Muslims at a recent rally in Jaipur,” in order to project Modi as a “secular” leader. “There is a huge question on Modi as he is facing criminal charges in Ishrat Jahan fake encounter and Ehsan Jafri murder cases,” she said.
Raja, who met Janata Dal (Secular) National President, H D Deve Gowda, said that it was imperative that all secular and democratic forces join hands to provide an alternative to Modi. He claimed that the RSS had started to act as a political force by “dictating terms” to the BJP and “polarising the country on communal lines”.
In this regard, an anti-communalism convention would be held in New Delhi on October 30, Raja informed. He further said that talks were being held with Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mulayam Singh. They had also reached out to the Janata Dal (United) president, Sharad Yadav, he added.
On the Telangana issue, Karat accused the YSR Congress and Telugu Desam Party “misleading” people. She urged them to declare their stance on the issue. “Our party is clear on this. We are for a united Andhra Pradesh,” she said.
At the rally, the Left leaders also thundered that the economic policies of the Congress and BJP were similar and “anti-people.” Prices were going up because of the UPA government’s financial decisions, they alleged.
Rally hits traffic
Traffic movement was partially affected at KR Circle, due to the heavy turnout for the rally.
The traffic police had deployed additional personnel to ensure smooth flow of vehicles. “There was no jam as such, as our men managed things well at different junctions,” Girish S, DCP (traffic west division), said.
The traffic police had temporarily diverted vehicles to alternative routes to prevent vehicles piling up at KR Circle. The movement of vehicles was slow around 11.30 am when the protesters gathered at the spot and it repeated at 4 pm when they dispersed, said the Upparpet traffic police.