Thiruvananthapuram: For the second time in a week, the CPI(M) is embroiled in a controversy in Kerala on portrayal of Jesus Christ with a picture resembling the Christ's "Last Supper" now providing the spark.
The Congress slammed the CPI(M) on Sunday for the alleged action of its workers in bringing out a political version of the famous 'The Last Supper' painting of Leonardo Da Vinci with US President Barack Obama as the central figure in place of Jesus Christ to depict the decline of capitalism.
The politically-loaded 'The Last Supper' on a flex board surfaced close on the heels of the row sparked by the display of a picture of Jesus Christ at an exhibition organised by the party ahead of its state conference starting Monday. It has come as an embarrassment for the principal opposition party.
The 'Last Supper of Capitalism,' put up at a spot in the city, showed Obama as seated at the centre, the spot occupied by Christ in the original work by the Italian master.
Obama is flanked in the poster by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP leaders L K Advani and Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and a few others from non-Left poltical sphere.
The caption below the picture said "this is the last supper of capitalism...hope is only in Marxism." The CPI(M) distanced itself from the action.
When asked about the poster, CPI(M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said it was put up "without the knowledge of any responsible party functionary" and that his party had "no intention to belittle the ideals of Christ or Christanity".
"The moment the matter came to the notice of the local party leaders, it was removed," Vijayan said.
Congress sharpened its attack on CPI(M) for displaying picture of Jesus Christ and episodes from the Bible as political material, terming them as 'blasphemous and heretical.'
Chief Minister Chandy said distorting 'The Last Supper' for political purposes could be seen only a "heretical act" and the party would have to face the consequences for hurting the sentiments of the believers.
State Congress president Ramesh Chennithala said there was no justification for "vulgarisation" of 'The Last Supper'.
Alleging that there was an attempt to tarnish the image of the party, CPI(M) District Secretary Kadakampalli Surenderan said it has filed a complaint with the police.
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