“The attitude of the CPM surprises me. They have not made their position clear on whether they consider Arunachal Pradesh an integral part of India or a disputed territory,” said Joshi at a media interaction in Kolkata. He also urged the Centre to take more interest in building infrastructure in the Northeast.

The veteran BJP leader said that the CPM was “making too much noise” about the rise in petrol prices, “even as the party continues to support the UPA government”.

“The CPM has not made the necessary tax cuts to cushion the impact of the price hike on common people,” he added.

“The oil companies, which the government claims to be running under loss, are giving huge dividends. In the last financial year from April to December, Indian Oil, HP and BP have registered a profit of 57,692 crore,” Joshi said.

He added that the BJP will focus on price hike, misgovernance of the UPA and internal and external security concerns in the next parliamentary elections. The BJP leader, however, refused to comment on the NDA’s collaboration with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. “It is up to her. Only she will be able to tell you whether she is with the NDA or not,” he said. Joshi agreed that the Trinamool Congress is an ‘important factor’ in West Bengal politics.

The fees hike of the IIMs also drew Joshi’s ire. “I reduced the fees and had to face criticism from the media. Management is not for the elite and these institutions are sloshed with money. Education should be made equitable, affordable, accessible and germane to the people,” he said.