Cong takes out counter-rally

z Burns Mamata effigy, threatens strike if CM blocks FDI in state

The Congress today organised a rally to counter Mamata Banerjee's anti-FDI campaign in Delhi, and burned an effigy of the Chief Minister at Hazra Road crossing, a few yards from her residence.

Political observers could not recall a single instance when the Marxists burned Mamata's effigy during their 34-year rule.

West Bengal Pradesh Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya feebly tried to stop frenetic Congress supporters from burning the effigy, but his efforts went up in smoke.

At the rally, Congress leaders suggested that Mamata was showing all the signs of veering towards the BJP. "Look at the people who are coming to her dharna manch in Delhi. People like L K Advani and Muqtar Abbas Naqvi (of BJP) are all praises for her. After severing ties with the Congress, she is inching towards the BJP. People will not forgive her for that," Bhattacharya told The Indian Express on the sidelines of the rally.

Launching a vitriolic attack on Mamata, Bhattacharya said that his party will call a Bangla bandh if FDI is not accepted in Bengal.

"There will be agitation all over the state. We will convince people that FDI is needed for the economy. Mamata is misleading them. There was a time when the CPM vehemently opposed introduction of computers and for that, Kolkata is today lagging behind cities like Bangalore or Hyderabad. Mamata is also treading the path of the Leftists, taking the state back to the feudal stage," Bhattacharya said.

The rally started from Birla Planetarium at Esplanade and ended at Hazra. Thousands of people braved heavy rain to take part. Apart from Bhattacharya, other leaders who addressed the rally included Raigunj MP Deepa Dasmunshi, former ministers in the state government Manas Bhunia and Sabina Yasmin. However, Behrampore MP Adhir Choudhury was conspicuous by his absence.

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