Sitaram Yechury backs Basu's appeal to Congress voters

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury today endorsed veteran Marxist Jyoti Basu's appeal to Congress voters to back the Left in the upcoming Assembly bypolls, saying "no right-thinking person can ignore his suggestion considering the country's security and unity."

"Basu is a senior political father figure in Indian politics. I think he has made very right suggestion," Yechury told reporters here.

Reacting to Bengal Congress rejecting Basu's suggestion as a "desperation after the Left's continued debacle in election, aimed at driving a wedge in the opposition vote bank," Yechury said "It is up to the Congress. Whatever they want to say, let them say."

"As far as Jyoti Basu is concerned he has risen above party politics. He is talking about the country, the country's future, security and unity of our country. And these are issues no well-meaning politician can ignore," Yechury said. He added that Congress may disagree with what Basu has suggested, but these are issues which cannot be ignored.

Basu while appealing for support to the Leftists had yesterday said, "We gave unconditional support to Congress to counter communalism and save the country. Now, when the state is facing a severe crisis, I would ask Congress supporters to back Left Front candidates for peace, order and development.