Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 10 -- Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan on Monday strongly criticised Congress government and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan's demand to withdraw the order for singing the full version of Vande Mataram on August 15, accusing the Congress of compromising on national heritage.

Speaking to ANI, the former Mizoram Governor questioned the rationale behind opposing the traditional composition, and emphasised its historic significance in uniting the country.

He said, "For Independence Day celebrations, the (Keralam) government has decided not to sing the national song Vande Mataram. They are saying that it will violate the basic concept of the Constitution. During the independence movement, the Congress it...