Left in haze over Mamata’s ties with BJP, Cong

Left in haze over Mamata’s ties with BJP, Cong
SANTANU BANERJEE

KOLKATA, MARCH 26: The political stalemate over the fate of the Trinamool Congress’ alliance with the BJP and the Congress seems to have left the CPI(M)-led Left Front in West Bengal confused.

Though former chief minister and veteran leader Jyoti Basu felt that ‘‘Mamata Banerjee had fled from the BJP-led NDA out of fear after the Tehelka expose’’, other Front leaders said Trinamool must clarify its stand on the alliance. Unlike Basu, who ridiculed Mamata’s statement of Saturday that ‘‘after a few more days the seat adjustment process would be complete’’, other leaders were not sure if she had snapped her ties with the BJP and gave vent to their worries about what could come next.

‘‘I’m telling you Mamata can never become the chief minister of West Bengal. Whether she has a tie-up with the Congress or the BJP, the people will reject her,’’ veteran CPI leader and minister N. Bhattacharya asserted. The Front leaders, who formally launched their election campaign at the Brigade Parade Ground here this afternoon, focussed their attack on the Trinamool and Mamata Banerjee.

Later, at a huge gathering and flanked by senior party leaders, including former prime minister V.P. Singh, Basu advised partymen not to be complacent over the fact they would come back to power this time too.

‘‘Given the achievements of the 24-year Front rule, they cannot defeat us in the election. But let’s not be complacent,’’ he saidBasu didn’t forget to lash out at the media either. The media had openly sided with Mamata, he said. A part of the media openly ‘‘helped generate a campaign to promote Mamata’s image’’. People, he said, must be aware of its ‘‘sinister designs’’.

The Trinamool’s alliance with the Kamtapuris incidentally, the Kamtapuris have walked out of the alliance and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) was severely criticised.

‘‘What is Bangla Bachao Front that includes allies such as the secessionist forces, the Kamtapuris and Jharkhandis?’’ asked West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. ‘‘Is this how they are going to save Bengal?

The Kamatapuris and Jharkhandis want to break our state.’’ Basu added: ‘‘Before you cast your vote, you should know whom you are casting it for. The Trinamool and the BJP are anti-nationals. I am confident that the people will reject them.’’