Speaking at the 12th Chandubhai Patel Memorial Lecture on `India's Present Political State and the Role of the Left and the CPI(M)' organised by the Chandubhai Memorial Trust, Mehta spoke on intellectual property rights and the role of G-7. Even the tulsi plant is being patented in the west, he said.

Mehta also commented on the ``fascist'' BJP and recalled how its leaders in Gujarat had fought amongst themselves in the not too distant past. About 15 people, mostly workers, were present for the talk which was held in Kamubala Hall on Sant Kabir Road.