Congress refuses to toe Trinamool line in Bengal

“As a responsible political party we will attend the meeting called by the chief minister,” said Pradip Bhattacharjee. Asked that the alliance partner Trinamool has refused to attend the meet,he said:” We are a national party and we will take our decisions. I cannot comment on decision of other parties.”

He,however,criticised the state government for inadequate relief for the cyclone victims. “The state government has failed to provide adequate relief to the victims. Even the manner in which the meeting has been called is poor. They sent a letter on June 5 and called the meeting on 7,” added Bhattacharjee.

He also said a ‘chintan shibir’ will be organised to revive the party in the state. “We have to save the party in Bengal and therefore we are organising a ‘chintan shibir’ in Bolpur on August 8 and 9 to discuss the issue. State and central leaders will be present,” said Bhattacharjee. He,however,clarified that he did not mean that the party is dying in Bengal. The party has entrusted Berhampur MP Manas Bhuniya to formulate a draft of reviving the party,which will be discussed in Bolpur.