Advani predicts end of Marxist rule in Bengal

Kolkata, Feb 15 (PTI) Blaming Marxism for the spread ofviolence as well as Maoism in the country, Senior BJP leader LK Advani today said time had come for the end of Left Front''s"misrule" in West Bengal.

"You have tolerated a Marxist misrule for long. Thetime has now come when Bengal will get rid of the Marxists,"Advani told a rally here.

He said Marxists used to say that "sun would never seton their sphere of influence", but now they are in a badshape. "Marxism has spelt doom for many."

Observing that he had witnessed many turns of history inhis lifetime, the former deputy prime minister said, "Iimagine I will see a different government in the state when Ivisit West Bengal after the month of May."

Claiming that Maoism stemmed from Marxist thoughts, hesaid, "Marxism was responsible for the spread of violence inthe country. He said that because of Marxism, Maoism hasspread."

Advani said that the fall of the former USSR showedthat Marxism has no future. "Marxism has no steam any longer.

The future lies only in democracy and development."

The rally, which in effect marked the launch of BJP''scampaign for the Assembly election, was attended by partypresident Nitin Gadkari, his predecessor Rajnath Singh andLeader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, besidesAdvani.

Chief Minister of Jharkhand Arjun Munda, his Karnatakacounterpart Y S Yeddyurappa, Uttarakhand counterpart RomeshPokhrial and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh alsoaddressed the rally, which was a culmination of the yatrataken out by the party''s West Bengal unit from Cooch Beharagainst the CPI(M). .