Information block

Many comrades in the CPI(M) headquarters were unaware, till the last moment, that a booklet on Harkishan Singh Surjeet would be published on March 23. When it was pointed out that the booklet didn’t even mention the formation of the first UPA, considered to be Surjeet’s biggest triumph, one politburo member told reporters, “Forget about what’s written there. I didn’t even know the booklet would be released today. I got a call in the morning from someone requesting me to come to the office for the booklet release programme.” Another Central Committee member and a top leader of CITU also said that he was yet to see the booklet, although the leadership claimed the booklet was complied by the top leadership in Delhi.