LK Advani speaks out against 'political untouchability'

New Delhi, Dec 17: Senior BJP leader LK Advani on Wednesday expressed sadness over "political untouchability" among leaders of different ideological persuasions, saying it weakens democracy and the functioning of Parliament and also affects inter-party relationship.

At a meeting to commemorate the life and work of former MP and founder of the Party for Democratic Socialism, Saifuddin Choudhury, who passed away in September, the BJP leader said he agreed with Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay's view that untouchability in the field of politics badly "hurts" democracy.

"But there have been occasions when even in such matters (condolence meetings), (political) untouchability is practised. It's sad and tragic. It weakens democracy, weakens even the functioning of Parliament properly or functioning of inter-party relationship," Advani said.

Speaking at the meeting, Advani recalled how, after taking oath as Home Minister, he had attended the funeral of former Kerala Chief Minister EMS Namboodiripad as a government representative although the latter belonged to the Left.

Advani said that any political party in the country which believes in democracy and in the proper functioning of Parliament, should never have an attitude of untouchability.

The memorial meeting today was attended by leaders from different parties, including Congress's Digvijay Singh and its Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury, CPI's AB Bardhan and DP Tripathi of NCP.

Advani: This untouchability should not be there

Yechury, a CPI(M) Politburo member, said that untouchability in the political arena is nowadays taking place within parties as well.

"This untouchability... should not be there. This is nowadays taking place inside parties as well. We have been seeing these things in the parties," said Yechury.

A condolence resolution was also read during the meeting. "While remembering such a unique personality and mourning his untimely departure from our midst, the meeting resolves to carry forward Saifuddin Choudhury's legacy in the days ahead," the condolence resolution stated.

Sharma, while recalling his interactions with Choudhury, said it was his transparency which had touched him.

PTI