The West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu, releasing several publications on the achievements of Left Front Government on the occasion of its 20 years rule in the State at the Writers' Building in Calcutta.

CALCUTTA, June 21: The West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu urged the Left Front leaders to reach out to the new generation, born after the Congress rule in the State.

The LF leaders, who gathered here yesterday at the Najrul Manch to celebrate the 20-year-rule of the Left Government, were told to be careful against the influence of a section of a media which ``had launched a disinformation campaign against the LF Government.'' The new generation boys and girls, who didn't see what the 28-year-rule of Congress, which symbolised ``human barbarism'' stood for, may get unduly influenced by these propaganda, Basu said.

Basu warned of the disinformation campaign launched against his government and said he was not afraid of constructive criticism. ``But I would caution the people against `deliberate slanders' to malign the LF.''

He urged the LF leaders to tell the young generation about the home truths so that they learn to distinguish right from wrong.

Asking the people to remove corrupt elements from the politics, he said: ``It is only the LF which could rightly claim to sticking to a politics of high moral commitment and values.'' And it's here that the significance of the LF Government lies in national perspective, he added, vowing that not only in West Bengal but also at the national level this conglomeration of Leftist forces would try to arrest the rise of secessionists and anti-people forces. However, he urged the LF leadership to be more vigilant and tolerant of self-criticism to avoid the gaffe which led to the downfall of the Congress as a party.

Launching a vitriolic attack on the Congress, which Basu described as party of plunderers, he said the recent organisational polls had proved how democratic the Congress was. Basu also warned the political parties indulging in rabid form of caste politics. This, he said, happened to be another `deadly virus' which could destroy a nation.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.