Manmohan remarks on Atal uncalled for: CPI

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks on his predecessor, made to US President George Bush today evoked sharp responses from the Left...

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks on his predecessor, made to US President George Bush today evoked sharp responses from the Left and the BJP.

• It was not necessary for the PM to say anything on ‘‘who said what or did not say’’ in Parliament to the US President. These were internal matters and no decisions should be taken at anyone’s behest.
CPI general secretary, A B Bardhan

• When the PM talks of different perceptions, he is speaking the truth. Even the Left has differences on the nuclear issue. The PM can’t be criticised for speaking the truth.
Sitaram Yechury, CPM

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• Media reports on the Singh-Bush meeting gave the impression ‘‘as if the Prime Minister was complaining to the President of the USA about our domestic politics’’. ‘‘All established conventions, mutual regards and due courtesy demand that domestic politics is not made a subject of discussion by our PM when visiting abroad.
Jaswant Singh, BJP

• It is most unfortunate because we don’t carry our mutual differences and party positions abroad when we go there as representatives of India. Certainly, the Prime Minister is not expected to say something of this kind.
Yashwant Sinha, BJP