BJP backs CPM over ‘CBI misuse’

The BJP agrees with the Marxists that the CBI’s chargesheet against Kerala CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan was a case of “misuse” of the agency against political opponents.

The BJP agrees with the Marxists that the CBI’s chargesheet against Kerala CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan was a case of “misuse” of the agency against political opponents.

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As state power minister in 1997, Vijayan was accused of wrongly awarding a contract to Canadian company SNC Lavalin to renovate two power plants.

Over the last few days, the BJP has repeatedly attacked the CBI for defending tainted Congressmen, framing the Gujarat government and keeping the sword hanging on vulnerable opponents like the Samajwadi Party, RJD and BSP.

However, the indictment of the agency for proceeding against the Communist leader brings the BJP’s position close to the CPM, a party ideologically opposed to it.

“I saw the file of the Kerala CPM leader,” said party leader Arun Jaitley, without naming Vijayan. “The contract was awarded in the Congress days. When the CPM came to power, it was continuing. No case was filed against the Congress minister, but the investigation is going on against the CPI(M) leader.”

Once arch-rivals, the BJP and Left have come closer in Parliament in recent times, often coordinating to take the government on. BJP leaders have repeatedly distinguished between the “real” — meaning BJP and Left — and “fake” — meaning SP, RJD and BSP — Opposition.

Gadkari attacked the government over “terrorist appeasement”: “You cannot hang Afzal Guru… Kasab ko kya faansi dee jaayegi.”