Joshi snubs CPI(M) for being 'silent' on China's claming Arunachal

Kolkata, Feb 11 (UNI) BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today flayed the CPI (M) for being 'silent' on the Chinese claim over Arunachal Pradesh and asked it to come forward to declare the party's stand.

'' Why is the CPI (M) silent ? The party must break its silence and spell out clearly which country does Arunachal Pradesh belong to, '' he said while addressing a press conference.

Calling China an 'aggressor', Mr Joshi said while Arunachal Pradesh had been an integral part of India, China had not given up its claim over the area till now.

Criticising the Congress-led UPA Government allegedly for causing plight to the common people, the former Union Minister said the high percentage of GDP growth did not reflect the true picture of the country, where millions of people were starving.

'' This Government has done nothing for the common people. The average economic condition of the people is different from what seven or eight per cent GDP growth projects. The poor is becoming poorer and millions of people are starving, '' he said.

To a question whether the Trinamool Congress would continue to be a partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mr Joshi said it was the prerogative of Trinamool supreme Mamata Banerjee whether to continue the ties.

'' It is up to her. It depends on her mood and situation, '' he said.

Ms Banerjee, who had been maintaining a calculated distance with the NDA for quite some time, had hinted at several programmes that no longer she was willing to continue with the alliance.

To another question on the police firing in West Bengal's Dinhata in which five Forward Bloc supporters were killed, Mr Joshi said the issue should be taken up in Parliament for discussion.

UNI KDG SJC AB 1948