Cannot be selective in fighting communalists: Anand Sharma hits out at Congress over ISF tie-up

“Dissenter” Anand Sharma on Monday hit out at the Congress over pre-poll alliance with Abbas Siddiqui of Indian Secular Front (ISF) for West Bengal Assembly election, saying that the party “cannot be selective in fighting communalists”.

Sharma’s attack came a day after West Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury shared the stage with Siddiqui and Left Front leaders in Kolkata.

“Congress’ alliance with parties like ISF and other such forces militates against the core ideology of the party and Gandhian and Nehruvian secularism, which forms the soul of the party. These issues need to be approved by the CWC,” Sharma said.

He said that Congress cannot be selective in fighting communalists but must do so in all its manifestations, irrespective of religion and colour.

“The presence and endorsement of West Bengal PCC President is painful and shameful, he must clarify,” said Sharma, the deputy leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha.

Chowdhury hit back at Sharma saying no decision was taken without any permission.

Read: Senior Congress leaders acting as stooge of TMC, BJP, claims ISF chief Abbas Siddiqui

“We are in charge of a state & do not take any decision on our own without any permission,” he told reporters in Kolkata.

A senior Congress leader from West Bengal said ISF is an outfit that represents a cross-section of the society including SC/ST, Hindus, Brahmins, not just Muslims alone.

"The ISF leader hails from a family of Pirs and should not be seen as communal," the senior leader said.

He also said that the ISF had initially entered into a tie-up with the Left Front and later Congress was asked to join the alliance.