India, May 20 -- The CPI(M) on Tuesday criticised the full rendition of "Vande Mataram" at the Congress-led UDF Cabinet swearing-in ceremony in Kerala, terming it an "incorrect step" and saying it is "inappropriate in a pluralistic society."

The BJP hit out at the CPI(M), accusing the Communists of "insulting" the national song in order to "appease radical vote-bank forces such as Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI."

Distancing itself from the row, sources in the new Government said they had no role in the programme, as it was fully organised by the Lok Bhavan.

A day after the swearing-in ceremony of the VD Satheesan-led Cabinet, the CPI(M) state secretariat said the Congress Working Committee had, as early as 1937, taken the view that singing a...