Left targets Mulford, others join

Leaders cutting across party lines slammed US Ambassador David Mulford in both Houses on Monday for writing to West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on his remarks against President George Bush. Though the BJP stopped short of demanding his recall and having him “declared personna non grata”.

The Left, which demanded that Mulford be sent back with bag and baggage, walked out of the Lok Sabha along with Samajwadi Party, BSP and UPA partners RJD and DMK after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi stated that the sentiments of the members would be conveyed to the PM, but gave no assurance of a formal government response to the issue. The Indian Express had reported on Mulford’s letter on Feb 10.

The Left and the SP walked out on the issue at the Rajya Sabha following a similar statement from Minister of State for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri.

Later, CPM leaders Nilotpal Basu and Basudeb Acharia told reporters that Mulford and Iran issues were on top of their agenda. “When the West Bengal CM wrote to the Prime Minister on the issue, there was no response. Now, he has seen mood of the House,” Basu said.