'Personal anger should not be euphemism to support BJP'

In a message to CPI-M and a veiled one to Sharad Pawar-led NCP, Congress said that efforts to form a "so-called non-Congress" secular front was meant to promote a non-secular front especially of the BJP-led NDA.

In a message to CPI-M and a veiled one to Sharad Pawar-led NCP, Congress on Thursday said that efforts to form a "so-called non-Congress" secular front was meant to promote a non-secular front especially of the BJP-led NDA.

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"(CPI General Secretary) Mr Prakash Karat's call for a non-Congress secular front is an oxymoron. To try for a so-called non-Congress secular front is in fact to promote a non-secular front, especially of the BJP-NDA," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told PTI.

He said Karat should not allow a repeat of 1977 when Left parties actively supported a coalition government of which BJP was a part.

It was an apparent reference to erstwhile Jan Sangh's merger with the Janata Party which was supported by the CPI-M.

"Let not personal anger be allowed to become euphemism for support to the BJP," he said.

Singhvi sought to tell Karat that "personal equations should not be brought into the picture for supporting the BJP."

Singhvi's statement comes a day after NCP chief Sharad Pawar claimed that the Left parties are inclined to have a fresh understanding with secular partners in the ruling alliance.

Speaking to reporters after a public rally on Wednesday, Pawar said he had contacted CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat after the latter had reportedly made a statement to that effect recently.