Blame game begins: Conspiracy by enemies for civic polls,says Mamata

“I do not know who did it. But it is a political conspiracy. Some people who have political enmity with us have done this to get political mileage before the municipal elections. They then hit the streets against the Railway Minister,while we were busy rescuing people,” said Mamata at a press conference at her residence in Kalighat today.

“It is a sabotage,political sabotage by those who are against me. This is a heinous crime. They did not take out a condolence rally after so many people died in the Stephen Court fire,so why now? Everything was arranged and concocted from before. First,they committed a heinous crime and then organised protests,” she said.

“I have got papers. I talked with villagers,they told me a lot of things. I will hand over the papers and information to the investigators,” she added.

Mamata claimed that she has sought a CBI probe into the crash. “I am hopeful that the CBI will get to investigate the matter and the truth will come out,” she said.

When asked about the involvement of Maoists,she replied: “How will I know? Let the investigation be over. Let us see whether it is Maoists or other political parties. We have heard statements. They (Maoists) stated they were not involved in the incident.”

On why the Railways’ FIR did not mention Maoists,she said: “The FIR has been lodged by the driver. How will he know whether it was Maoists or anyone else.” Stating that the train driver had heard a loud explosion,Mamata said the FIR had been lodged under the Explosives Act. “I even talked to passengers,who told me that there was a loud bang. The driver too heard it,” she said.

Stating that law and order is a state subject,she said: “A casual attitude is not accepted. I urge all chief ministers to take strong steps. Railways everywhere has become a soft target.”

Trinamool shielding Maoists,retorts CPM

New Delhi

THE Jnaneswari Express disaster has triggered an all-out blame game between the CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress on the eve of the crucial civic elections in West Bengal. Hitting back at Mamata Banerjee’s allegations of a “political conspiracy”,the CPI(M) accusing her of “shielding” Maoists and trying to “influence” public opinion to swing votes.

Stating that the Trinamool’s charges were “absurd and insidious”,CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said: “She has chosen to shield the actual culprits by suggesting that the Maoists may not be behind the sabotage. She is saying this while continuing to demand a CBI probe when the state government has already initiated a CID inquiry,” he said.

Pointing out that Mamata continued to stick to her stand that there was a blast despite Union Home Minister P Chidambaram denying the possibility,he said: “It is clear that she is seeking to cover up for the serious lapses of her leadership in the Railway Ministry.” Rebutting allegations of a conspiracy,he said: “These elements are cynically using the situation to further their petty partisan interests (and) all this is being done in order to influence public opinion on the eve of the civic elections.”