CPI(M) defends welcoming BJP rebels into party

CPI(M) in Kerala today defended its decision to take into party fold a group of BJP rebels in the politically hyperactive Kannur in north Kerala, who had earlier floated "Na Mo Vichar Manch" before moving to the Left path.

"They have approached us after shedding their communal ideology.They did not ask for any position or set any condition. So, there was nothing wrong in taking them into our fold," CPI (M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said at a press meet here, in response to queries.

Vijayan also rubbished the criticism that rolling out the red carpet to former saffronites amounted to an insult to the memory of martyrs who had sacrificed their life resisting the rise of the RSS-BJP in the area.

"The martyrs had laid down their lives by defending secularism and unity of the people. Now, those who believed in communal ideology have discarded it.So, how could welcoming them be a disservice to the memory of martyrs?" he asked.

Vijayan dismissed the suggestion that the invitation extended to Narendra Modi by Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha (KPMS), a leading Dalit community outfit in the state, to address a public meeting next month in Kochi signalled the increasing acceptability of the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate.

"The BJP and RSS have attempted such short-cuts to increase its support base in the past also. As part of this, they would approach different organisations. But they cannot hide the fact that Modi is the representative of the RSS ideology whose core is not Hindutva alone but also the savarna(upper caste) dominance," the CPI(M) leader added.