The book had claimed that India was one of the countries "most successfully penetrated" by KGB and that the Kremlin spent a fortune trying to influence the press, police, ministers and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

CPI dismisses allegations on KGB funding

Describing as "concocted" allegations that the Soviet intelligence agency had funded it, the Communist Party of India on Sunday rejected the charges "with the contempt that they deserve."

"These are all old allegations, which are baseless, untrue and false. I dismiss them with the contempt that they deserve," CPI National Secretary D Raja said.

Denying charges that that CPI had received funding from the Soviets, he said, "we don't need to depend upon others... My party has nothing to do with this (charges)."

Raja also took exception to the name of former party General Secretary Rajeshwaran Rao's being dragged into the controversy saying he knew his predecessor "more than the guy who wrote the book."

"I know my party history... My party has nothing to do with this," Raja said brushing aside a question that the issue would be discussed at the on-going National Executive of the party. "I don't think it is such a big issue," he said.

On a question to the allegations against the Congress, Raja said, "I don't think any party will stoop to the level that guy is alleging today. These are things not to be taken seriously."

Jagannath Mishra denies Indira-KGB link

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra on Sunday termed as "absurd, imaginary and based on hearsay" the allegations against Indira Gandhi and his brother late Lalit Narain Mishra that they had received money from the KGB.

Mishra, younger brother of Lalit Narain Mishra, denied that Indira Gandhi and his brother had any link with the KGB and said it was an attempt to "malign the former Prime Minister and Lalit babu both of whom were not not alive to deny the charge".

He, however, admitted that his brother, who was Railway Minister in Indira Gandhi cabinet, was of "left leaning" and so was Indira Gandhi and that "Lalit Narain Mishra had brought the Congress close to the CPI".

"Lalit babu Indira Gandhi ke kattar samarthak the aur yeh kahna ki Congress aur communiston ne KGB se paisa liya bilkul galat hai (Lalit Babu was a staunch supporter of Indira Gandhi and the allegation that Congress and Communists took money from the KGB is baseless," Mishra, a three-time Chief Minister of Bihar and currently a JD (U) leader said.