BJP is barbarian: Basu

CALCUTTA, Jan 4: quot;People often ask me why I always call the BJP barbaric and crude, and I tell them I cannot help doing it because those who at the end of the twentieth century want to divide the nation in the name of religion are nothing but barbarian, uncivilised people,8221; said West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu here today. He was speaking at the 32nd anniversary function of the party organ Ganashakti.

Condemning the latest attacks on Christians in Gujarat, the Chief Minister said people who voted for the BJP in the last elections did not understand they were committing a severe mistake 8212; they were inviting such a party to power that was communal and downright corrupt. 8220;Now these people are realising that with the BJP at the helm of affairs, the very foundation of the country has been shaken,8221; he added.

The Chief Minister also attacked the BJP for duping the nation on the economic front. 8220;Before the elections they said they would uphold the cause of swadeshi

after they came topower, but now they are selling the nation to the multinationals,8221; Basu said.

CPI M state committee secretary and former editor of the newspaper Anil Biswas listed out the achievements and future plans for the party organ. 8220;The paper which was launched as an eveninger 32 years back has now reached a circulation of 1,72,000,8221; Biswas said. He also said the paper, which had an internet edition, will launch an edition in North Bengal to be published from Siliguri.