CPI warns BJP, AIADMK of defeat in polls

CHENNAI: Coming down heavily on BJP and AIADMK for unnecessarly dragging Lord Rama into the Ram Sethu controversy, a senior Left leader on Monday  these parties will be defeated in elections, if they persisted with trying to stall the Sethu Samudram project.
   
Speaking at the day long fast called by the DMK led DPA to press for the speedy implementation of the Sethu Samudram project here today, CPI national secretary D Raja warned the BJP that even if they allied with the AIADMK, the people of Tamil Nadu will defeat them.
   
"What did you achieve after demolishing the Babri mosque? You were punished for it," he said while trying to remind of the BJP's poll loss.

He also asked BJP and AIADMK to follow the footsteps of Lord Rama, when he said that He took it in his stride with a smile, the orders to leave for the jubgle.
   
"If you respect Ram, you should also with a smile allow things to happen," Raja said.

Criticising senior BJP leader L K Advani for his demand for an apology from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidi for his anti-Ram remarks, Raja said they did not require Advani's permission to talk about Lord Rama.

He also charged that Advani and Sangh Parivar could never face a public debate on Lord Rama, as called by Karunanidhi, after Advani had demanded apology.

"The NASA, whose satellite pictures of Adam's Bridge were used by Sangh Parivar to show the existence of Ram Sethu, had declared it only as one of the largest naturally formed structures and will they accept that fact now," Raja asked.
   
Advani could never get an apology from Karunanidhi over his remarks on Ram, Raja said.

He also said that the today's fast was not a religion-oriented demonstration but a development-oriented one.
   
Union Shipping Minister T R Baalu, who has been vociferously calling for the faster implementation of the project, said only 300 metres of the total 30,00 metres of the Adam's Bridge was proposed to be demolished for the purpose.
    
Claiming that the name Ram Sethu did not figure in any of the Sethusamudram project records maintained by the previous BJP government at the Centre, Baalu said, 'I would not have even touched the bridge if it was mentioned as Ram Sethu,'.