Thiruvananthapuram: AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Sunday said the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day was a “matter of communication” and alleged that the BJP was using the issue to divert attention from pressing national concerns.Venugopal told reporters at Kollam that Congress had a clear position on Vande Mataram and maintained that the party respected both the national song and the national anthem. He alleged that BJP was trying to give the issue a divisive colour. “If they are talking about respecting the nation, they should first ask the govt to reclaim land in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said, referring to concerns over territory along the India-China border.Venugopal accused BJP of diverting public attention from issues such as alleged financial irregularities linked to the Ayodhya Ram temple and the use of force against students who protested at Jantar Mantar. On the proposed KPCC reshuffle, Venugopal said the party would take a decision. He confirmed that KPCC president Sunny Joseph, who is also a minister, had expressed his desire to be relieved of the organisational post.
