Not a BJP supporter but hope they come to power: Andre Beteille

Observing that a "long stint in the government for a single party is not good for democracy", renowned sociologist Andre Beteille Thursday hoped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would come to power at the centre.

"I am not a BJP supporter, but feel that they should come to power this time," Beteille told media persons on the sidelines of a book launch here as he went on to assert that the public perception of BJP being communal has changed.

"Even the Communists and the Congress party have played the communal card at different time in history," he said.

He also urged the country's politicians to restrain themselves from making personal attacks at each other.

"Other nations too have elections but we are too passionate about democracy and often get too involved," said Beteille who was in the city to launch the "Europe and the Hugli: The European settlement on the West Bank of the River" by Calcutta university Vice Chancellor Suranjan Das and historian Basudeb Chattopadhyay.

Beteille suggested that it was time for the country to shun the democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of Britain.

"Why should we continue having the Westminster model of democracy? This is our colonial hangover," he added.