Indo-Pak Talks Can't Be Conducted In Superficial Way: Sitaram Yechury

Kolkata: Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury today said Indo-Pak relation should move beyond leaders and wondered what is the use of talks if Pakistani players and artists are not allowed to perform in India.

"Now the talks have started. So the talks are only among leaders. What is the use of talks if Pakistani Singer Ghulam Ali is not allowed to sing in Mumbai, Pakistani cricket players are not allowed to play in our country?" Mr Yechury said.

"The talks can't be conducted in a superficial way. You need to stress on people-to-people contact," he said while addressing a rally at the open session of the party's five-day plenum.

"Modiji is only interested in foreign trips. He is eating breakfast in Kabul, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Delhi. Before elections he claimed that he has a chest of 56 inches and he will not hold any talks with Pakistan without stopping terrorism," the CPI-M general secretary said.

Mr Yechury's comments come in the backdrop of a surprise visit by Prime Minister Modi to Pakistan when he flew into Lahore on Friday afternoon to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

Mr Yechury also condemned the BJP leader and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Ram Madhav's comment that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will unite one day, saying such comments are aimed at spreading "communalism."

"The RSS is saying they want a united India by taking along Pakistan and Bangladesh. The comment is aimed at spreading communalism. It is aimed at pitting one brother (religion) against another brother (religion). The oil prices have come down  in the international market, but the Centre is imposing taxes and not allowing the oil prices to fall," Mr Yechury said.

CPI-M politburo member and lawmaker Mohammed Salim alleged that a match fixing is going on between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

"The TMC is trying to fool the people. They are playing a fixed match with the BJP. The BJP is saving them from the CBI in the Saradha scam and the the Trinamool Congress is supporting them in Parliament to pass various anti-people bills. You won't find Trinamool Congress protesting against the oil price hike," Mr Salim said.

Mr Salim alleged that the bonhomie between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP can be found from the fact that the BJP ministers who visit Bengal always praise Bengal government.