BJP still uncivilised, barbaric: Basu
Pioneer News Service/News Service
West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu called the Bharatiya Janata Party "uncivilised and barbaric" on Saturday, but added that his remarks were not directed at any individual.
"What do you say if at the end of the 20th century you break up somebody else's prayer house -- Babri mosque... If people with the same ideology and political allies kill Christians who are 2.5 per cent of the population?" Mr Basu asked.
The Chief Minister recalled having asked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during the latter's visit to Calcutta, what language should have been used. "He (Mr Vajpayee) kept quiet and I am yet to get an answer to my question," Mr Basu added.
The veteran Marxist leader considered the party uncivilised and barbaric even now, as "such things do not happen in a civilised country." When asked about his remark describing Union Home Minister L K Advani as a "criminal", he said, "the language was a little different".
Mr Jyoti Basu had told Mr Advani that there was a criminal case against him, the Home Minister had replied: "Yes, but there is no chargesheet". The veteran leader recalled: "I asked him how could there be a chargesheet against a Home Minister." Mr Advani had tried to avoid it initially, "what I say, the media reports it differently," he said.
Recounting his experience with the Central Government, Mr Basu said: "My experience with the previous NDA government was not good. But this Government has just come to power, so let us see".
Incidentally, the Chief Minister found only his relations with the United Front and the V P Singh Government good.
Mr Basu observed: "We are in favour of empowering the States and believe in genuine federal structure, something that is missing at present. Though I am getting old, I am still hopeful.".......
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