Match-fixing between BJP, TMC: Yechury

“Even though they are trying damage control now, the ‘match-fixing’ has been exposed,” he said. “It is clear now that the BJP government at the Centre would not pursue the Saradha scam vigorously. It would want the state government to continue in power, and in return the BJP needs the TMC support in Rajya Sabha. The match-fixing is very evident. Minority fundamentalism in the state and the majority fundamentalism at the Centre feed on each other,” Yechury added.

Meanwhile, in a rare gesture and departure from party convention, the Jyoti Basu birth centenary celebration committee invited expelled comrade and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to share the dais with Sitaram Yechury. Chatterjee accepted the invitation and turned up at the function.

Speaking at the function, the former Lok Sabha Speaker said: “Media is writing lot of things about Somnath Chatterjee and Sitaram Yechury sharing same stage. Misunderstanding does happen, but that is not relevant today. In all my actions I have followed the words of my leader — Jyoti Basu, who said when I was elected as the Speaker, I should try and uphold the tradition of parliamentary democracy. And he said that only a communist can do that. I have tried to do that all my life.” He said that fundamental rights and people’s rights are being eroded everyday in West Bengal now. There is a need for sustained struggle to restore those rights, he said. A large number of Left splinter group leaders were invited for Wednesday’s meeting apart from the constituents of the Left Front.