Will not allow BJP to gain foothold in Tamil Nadu: CPI

COIMBATORE: CPI's Tamil Nadu unit today said it will not allow BJP to exploit the issue of the recent release of five Tamil Nadu fishermen sentenced to death in Sri Lanka, for political gains and gain a foothold in the state in the 2016 assembly polls.

There has been no instance of Sri Lankan courts awarding death penalty since 1976 and the death sentence, that too on drug peddling charges and subsequent release, was a "well-enacted" drama by both the nations, state CPI secretary D Pandian told reporters here.

Giving details of the party's State conference being held here from February 25, he alleged that the Sri Lankan Navy continued to arrest and harass Tamil fishermen, even after the release of the five fishermen and did not bother to release over 100 seized boats.

Asked whether this was part of BJP's strategy to gain foothold in the state for the 2016 Assembly polls, Pandian asserted his party will not allow BJP to exploit the issue for political gains. "Moreover, all like-minded parties, left and secular forces should unite to prevent BJP from gaining foothold in the state," he said.

Pandian urged the Centre to prevent Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala from constructing check dams across respective rivers, which supplied water to Tamil Nadu, and find an amicable and permanent solution to the inter-state water disputes.

The four-day Conference, followed by Party's National Conference in Puducherry from March 26, will give importance to the need for inter-linking of rivers, he said.

When asked about merger of Left parties, in view of the efforts of splinter groups of Janata Dal to become one entity, Pandian quipped "CPI wants one united Communist party, but this should be the line of others also."