The CPI(M) on Monday asked the government to come out with its view on Union Minister A R Antulay's remarks on the killing of ATS chief Hemant Karkare, killed in Mumbai terror attack, and allay apprehensions over the fate of the probe into Malegaon blasts case he was handling. "Antulay is a member of the Union Cabinet. It is the government's duty to come out with its opinion on the statement immediately. The more the delay, the more the matter gets complicated," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said in New Delhi.

He said the "belligerent manner" in which BJP was raising the issue "strengthens the apprehension that the ATS will not proceed with the investigations into the involvement of Hindu organisations (in the Malegaon blasts). They (BJP) are looking for their communal dividend."

The government must give its comments immediately and allay fears that the probe "would not be carried to its logical conclusion and allowed to drift away. This is an important aspect of fighting against terror," he said.

Maintaining that there was no doubt that Karkare and two other police officers were "killed by terrorists having links across the border", Yechury said, "There is no question as to who killed the slain Anti- Terror Squad chief Hemant Karkare. It is clear."

Earlier, his party colleague Brinda Karat, however, said that as a Minister, it was "unnecessary" for Antulay to make these statements.

CPI leader D Raja said "if a senior minister raises any issue, the government cannot brush it away. The government must come out clear on the issue" and accused Congress of "speaking in different voices" on the issue.