Kolkata, May 31: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the CPI-M of colluding with the BJP over today's NDA-sponsored bandh and indulging in acts of arson and other violent activity.
“They (CPI-M) used to dub me as the supporter of BJP. But today the CPI(M) in collusion with the BJP has organised this bandh and indulged in destructive activities like setting fire to some buses. I leave it to the people to judge,” she told reporters here.
She said that such collusion was evident from the arrest of people belonging to the CPI(M) and BJP in connection with violence during the bandh.
Bracketing the CPI(M) with the BJP, she alleged, “They have many faces and colours.”
Thanking the people of West Bengal for “not responding” to the bandh call, she said that such “destructive bandhs” were uncalled for when the state was reeling under a severe financial crisis.
She called for “people's resistance” against the “destructive” activities like bandh and blockades.
“Who will pay the price for the loss of lakhs of rupees the state suffered for the damage caused to so many buses?” she wondered.
Politics cannot be conducted by resorting to the path of destruction, she said.
“”Who stand to benefit by setting fire to buses? Bandh and blockades cause sufferings to the people. If there is grievance it could articulated through processions and meetings.”
She also accused the CPI(M) of hobnobbing with the Maoists. “They are sitting in meetings with them for the unity of the Maoists and the Leftists. The CPI(M) is the biggest shame of Leftism.
Banerjee said a CPI(M) leader in Kerala had stated there had been instances of the party eliminating political rivals.
“The CPI(M) had indulged in killings, loot and corruption while they were in power in West Bengal for the past 34 years. Now even in opposition they want to continue with this practice”, she said.
