Bengal Dy CM abstains from feting Shyamaprasad, PM unhappy

Bengal Dy CM abstains from feting Shyamaprasad, PM unhappy
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Calcutta, July 6: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said political differences should not come in the way of showing respect to national leaders, especially after their death.

``In a multi-party democracy there will be differences on political and economic issues, but will that stand in the way of showing respect to national leaders?'' he asked inaugurating the year-long birth centenary celebration of Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, one of the founders of the erstwhile Jan Sangh, here.

Vajpayee apparently was referring to the decision of West Bengal Deputy Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee not to attend the function because of his differences with Jan Sangh and its successor, BJP.

Describing Mukherjee as a great nationalist, the Prime Minister said that a person like him deserved proper evaluation and asked Bhattacharjee, who chose to keep away, to reconsider his views on the late leader.

He cited the instance of Home Minister L K Advani attending the funeral of Communist leader E M S Namboodiripad and said there existed no difference of opinion after death. "Namboodiripad was a great visionary and we have shown our due respect."

Bhattacharjee had yesterday said he was not a believer in Mukherjee's ideology and would not take part in his birth centenary celebrations, though he respected him.

He said the seeds of Mukherjee's philosophy had not taken root in West Bengal, indicating that the ideology had failed in the state. Vajpayee, who dwelt mostly on the absence of Bhattacharjee, said the Deputy Chief Minister had written a letter pleading his inability to attend the programme on the ground that his criticism of Mukherjee might not be liked by him (Prime Minister).

The Prime Minister said the Deputy Chief Minister had, however, assured all help to the Shyamaprasad Mukherjee memorial committee.

Regretting Bhattacharjee's absence at the programme, Vajpayee said political differences might exist, but he should not have any doubt about Mukherjee's integrity and commitment to the nation.

Recalling his close association with Shyamaprasad, Vajpayee said that his love for the nation was unquestionable as he had sacrificed his life for the unity of the country. ``When Shyamaprasad went to Srinagar I accompanied him on the historic journey. It was sad that he could not come back''.

The Prime Minister said despite political differences all should work for strengthening the country. ``Our responsibility has increased when democracy is in peril in the neighbouring country''.

Vajpayee said that during the Kargil war the entire country became one. ``Pakistan thought that there was no government in India and attacked. But we said that we will not rest in peace until we get back the entire Kargil''. Stating that the country had entered coalition politics, the Prime Minister said the coalition concept could be traced back several years to when Shyamaprasad Mukherjee joined the coalition government of Fazlul Haque in Bengal.

He said Shyamaprasad's Rashtriya Ganatantrik Morcha(National Democratic Front) had its reflection in the present National Democratic Alliance (NDA), adding that it was Shyamaprasad Mukherjee's ideals which had been the guiding force for the present NDA.

Vajpayee recounted Shyamaprasad's uncompromising stand on many issues, particularly on national development, and said that differences of views with Jawaharlal Nehru prompted him to quit the ministry.

The Prime Minister referred to the oratorial powers of Shyamaprasad in Parliament, and said that opposition members heard him with rapt attention whenever he attacked the government. However, nowadays, parliament witnessed more noise than logical arguments, he added.

Absence of the Deputy Chief Minister also came in for sharp criticism by both the Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for Communications Tapan Sikdar.

Sikdar said that decision had been taken to set up memorial buildings (smarak bhavans) after Shyamaprasad in Calcutta, Delhi and at Srinagar to commemorate his contribution to the country.