Buoyant on the thumping victory of the Trinamool Congress-Congress alliance in Siliguri municipal polls, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee today called for the Left Front’s ouster, saying it is shameful that the CPM is clinging to power even after a series of defeats.

Congress too said the people have lost faith in the CPM and voted for a change in Bengal. Interestingly, the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) also expressed its happiness over the verdict, claiming it had worked for the victory of the Trinamool-Congress alliance. The GJM had helped BJP’s Jaswant Singh win the Lok Sabha elections from Darjeeling recently.

“It is shameful that even after a series of defeats, the CPM-led Left Front government is holding on to power in Bengal. People have rejected them and they should accept it,” Banerjee said. “People have driven the last nail in CPM’s coffin through today’s mandate. It is time for a change,” she said.

“Be it the Lok Sabha or panchayat polls, the Assembly bypolls or municipal elections, the CPM and the Left have been battered. People have rejected them outright,” Banerjee said.

She said the new municipal board in Siliguri will soon start work. “I will visit North Bengal shortly,” she added.

Meanwhile, Deepa Dasmunsi, the Congress MP from Raigunge, said, “People have voted for a change and for development in its truest sense. We will have to work hard to match and exceed their expectations.”

“We as a party and as an alliance partner did well. The Congress is being rejuvenated in Bengal,” she said.

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