I am the son of my father, not of Lord Rama, says Surjya Kanta Mishra

BHUBANESWAR: Ridiculing Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti's reported controversial comments, CPI(M) politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra today said he is not a son of Lord Rama, but his father's.

"I can proudly say that I am the son of my father and not of Lord Rama. How can I ignore my father who has brought me up?" Mishra said addressing the 20th conference of CPI(M)'s Odisha unit.

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti had courted controversy by reportedly asking voters to elect sons of Rama and not "illegitimate sons", at a public meeting in Delhi.

"I know Lav and Kush are two sons of Lord Rama. How can others inclduing me become Lord Ram's son? My father has given me an identity," Mishra, also Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, said, and accused the NDA government of being guided by RSS ideologies.

The Sangh Parivar was planning to set up temples of Nathuram Godse, Mishra claimed and added he was opposed to such a move.

"I am not a follower of Gandhi's ideologies, but when it comes between Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi and Godse, I am with the former," Mishra said and called upon the people to fight communal agenda of any kind.