National

Why drag all of India, asks Prakash Karat

New Delhi: The CPI(M) on Friday ridiculed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remark that Indians “deeply love” U.S. President George W Bush, saying it was not true.

“We all know that Manmohan Singh loves Bush. But I don’t understand why he brought all of India into it,” general secretary Prakash Karat said here in response to journalists drawing his attention to the Prime Minister’s remark.

Even as the Opposition mounted a sharp attack on Dr. Singh, Congress leader M. Veerappa Moily said: “This is trivial ... Do people of India hate Mr. Bush and the people of U.S?”

Mr. Moily sidestepped questions whether the party endorsed Dr. Singh’s views but said: “India believes in the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence. We are a peaceful culture ... We do not hate people.”

“Suppose, I say I love you. What is wrong in this? I do not think a debate is needed on the statement of ‘I love you’.” Asked about the political dimensions of the Prime Minister’s statement, Mr. Moily said there was nothing much to read into it. “Ask the PM when he comes back.” — PTI