With the ongoing political acrimony between the ruling CPM and opposition Trinamool Congress showing no signs of receding, Union Finance Minister and Pradesh Congress chief Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said all political parties should co-operate and support development projects in Bengal.

This comes as an indirect criticism of ally Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, who is accused of stalling many projects in Bengal.

He said this after the state Housing Minister Gautam Deb and IT Minister Debesh Das pointed to “lack of co-operation from Trinamool Congress” on carrying out development projects in the state during the inauguration ceremony of Ecospace Business Park in Rajarhat. “No one can prevent the process of industrialisation and development. I do agree that in the process of development works for the poor, we must have a spirit of co-operation and understanding,” said Mukherjee.

“In a multi-party democracy, divergence of views is acceptable. But things should converge where implementation of programmes are concerned,” he added.

Accusing the Trinamool Congress of “stalling” things, Deb said the function was being powered with the help of generators since the party had prevented installing a few electricity polls. Trinamool leaders, who were invited, were, however, conspicuous by their absence.

Das appealed for co-operation and support from all political parties to grant land to Wipro and Infosys. Das said: “We need more IT companies to come to Bengal. The recent decision to scrap the IT hub in Rajarhat will indeed affect the future of IT in Bengal. I believe the government and people want Wipro and Infosys to come to Bengal.”

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