The ruling CPM may be blaming the Trinamool Congress for maintaining links with the Maoist rebels but it has now emerged that even Left Front ministers and leaders have had recent conversations directly with top Maoist leader Kishenji alias Koteswara Rao.

On Monday, RSP leader and state PWD minister Kshiti Goswami and Forward Bloc state secretary Ashok Ghosh, both of whom have opposed strong action taken by the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government to stop Maoist violence in three West Bengal districts, acknowledged that have had conversations with Kishenji. Emerging from a Left Front meeting, Goswami, when asked about it, agreed that he had talked to the Maoist leader. “I cannot recall the date, but few days ago he called me and discussed about the joint operation and application of UAPA,” said Goswami, referring to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Goswami, a strong critique of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on the operation against Maoists, had asked the Chief Minister to withdraw the “draconian UAPA”, which makes helping banned organisations through funds or publicity among other things punishable. Moreover, the RSP has decided to organise a convention against application of UAPA, where Naxalite groups will be invited to express their views.

Goswami, interestingly, had supported the government decision of releasing alleged Maoists in exchange of abducted police officer Atindranath Dutta.

Apart from Goswami, Forward Bloc state secretary Ashok Ghosh also said he had held discussions with the leader of banned outfit. Ghosh said Kishenji wanted to discuss the Bloc’s view about the application of UAPA. “But it was not possible to discuss the issue over telephone. He called me and I have told him our position in brief,” he said. Forward Bloc sources said, following Ghosh’s conversation with Kishenji, the party had sent a CD with a 20-minute lecture of Ghosh on his views over Maoist politics. “The party still believes that the Maoists are not a class enemy because they also fight for the cause of the poor people,” said a senior leader.

... contd.