Basu's 'authorised' biography raises ruckus

The "authorised" biography of Marxist leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu has created a flutter in political circles, not even sparing his own party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

The title of the book, Jyoti Basu -- the Authorised Biography, has itself become controversial with the question being raised as to who authorised it.

Basu has categorically stated that he is only responsible for his quotes and nothing else. "I am responsible for my quotes, but it's your book, so you are responsible for the rest of the matter," Basu told author Surabhi Banerjee in a three-sentence 'Forward' to the book.

Basu has nowhere said that he has authorised the biography, nor has the author put in clear terms in her preface that she has the authorisation from Basu.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist, particularly its West Bengal unit, appears to be embarrassed with the "authorised" biography.

Though the author claimed at the release ceremony of the book that she had consulted both Basu and an important party functionary at all stages, a spokesman of the party's state unit has denied that the biography was an official project of the party.

"We have not authorised her and we cannot take responsibility of what any one has written. It is not a party publication," the spokesman said in Calcutta.

However, some party insiders admitted that the author of the biography did approach some party functionaries and was given some materials for the biography.

"We will make an official statement on this issue after the party's central committee meeting in Delhi," said Biman Bose, a central committee member from West Bengal.

The main controversy, however, lies in Basu's statement in the book dubbing as a "historical blunder" his party's decision of not joining the United Front government at the Centre.

"Apparently, it was the lack of proper political understanding, which stood in their way of reacting positively to the situation. The view the majority held was wrong," Basu has been quoted as saying.

"The people would always blame us as they had blamed us for not supporting Morarji Desai's government," Basu was quoted in the book.

"Such statements have embarrassed the entire party, its leaders and workers, throughout the country and they clearly violate the discipline of the party," an insider in the party's state unit said.

Veteran Marxist leaders like E M S Namboodiripad, politburo members Sitaram Yechuri and Prakash Karat, and leaders from the party's Kerala, West Bengal and other units have criticised Basu for his statements.

Leaders of the opposition Congress party described the book as the "height of sycophancy," saying the biography had been written "only to praise'' Jyoti Basu. "There is not a single line on his negative side," they pointed out.

A spokesman of the CPI-M's state unit said the autobiography had many mistakes and incorrect data.

"We cannot authorise such a book which has such glaring mistakes and incorrect data," the spokesman pointed out. "It seems that the author has a very little idea about the party organisation."

The book described Harkishan Singh Surjeet as the president of the Amritsar congress and Basu as the general secretary of the undivided Communist Party of India.

"We don't have president in our party structure nor was Basu general secretary of the undivided Communist party," the spokesman said.

"The book also said five people were killed during the Teachers Movement. But the fact is that not a single teacher was killed," he added.

UNI