Apology on Nandigram not enough: Advani

The BJP told West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya that his apology on Nandigram violence was not enough.

Launching a double-barrel attack on the Marxists, the BJP on Friday told West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya that his apology on Nandigram violence was not enough and his comments on Lord Ram was an offence.

Leader of the Opposition L K Advani made it plain to Bhattacharya that he should also proceed against the CPM cadres who had allegedly perpetrated the violence and action in the police firing incident.

“Admission of guilt and apology is not enough and the CPM cadres who had indulged in violence should be proceeded against,” Advani said in New Delhi on the conclusion of the winter session of Parliament.

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He claimed that the debate on Nandigram saw the Left, particularly the CPM isolated with even some of its allies saying that they should not be seen as Marxist party’s ‘partners in sin’.

“The Congress chose to remain silent on Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi’s anguished remarks besides Home Minister Shivraj Patil refused to reply on questions on CPM ‘letting loose private army to recapture Nandigram’.

He said Bhattacharya’s apology for saying that the CPM paid in the same coin only shows that it was his party cadre which indulged in violence.

On Bhattacharya’s statement questioning the existence of Lord Ram, Advani said his comments were ‘highly objectionable’ not only politically but also under the law as it is an offence to hurt the religious sentiments of any community and in this case it was the majority community.