Ramesh Das, the Iskcon publicity manager, wondered %u201Cwhy the CPM has branded us like this after ruling the state for 30-odd years%u201D.
He said several communist leaders like politburo member Sitaram Yechury and Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar have not only visited its temples but also stayed over. %u201CWe were delighted to host them.%u201D
Das added: %u201CWe want to convey for their (the CPM%u2019s) information that we have devotees from all walks of life and from all over the world.%u201D
The CPM denied the claim about its leaders staying there. %u201CI%u2019ve never heard of it,%u201D said veteran leader Benoy Konar.
The Nadia CPM had earlier accused Iskcon of acquiring around 500 acres in Mayapur in the name of small NGOs to bypass the land ceiling law. Acting on its report, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee asked his land minister to conduct a probe.
Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah came to Nadia for the inquiry, following which the government shot down the proposal for a Rs 500-crore vedic village planned by Iskcon devotee and Henry Ford%u2019s grandson Alfred Ford.
The latest document, distributed among senior leaders of the district during the November 30-December 2 conference, says Iskcon has become an %u201Cagent of the Congress, Trinamul Congress and the BJP%u201D.
%u201CIt has established itself as a major force against communists here.%u201D
Party sources said the conference discussed the issue in the presence of state secretary Biman Bose and industries minister Nirupam Sen.
