Mamata upset with people rebuffing Maoists: CPI-M

NEW DELHI - The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday alleged that Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee was demanding withdrawal of the joint forces from Maoist-affected areas in West Bengal as she was “upset” with people there for mobilising themselves against the Leftwing rebels.

“The people of the Maoist-affected Jangalmahal have been resisting and protesting against the Maoist violence and intimidation. The people have mobilized in a big way to rebuff the Maoists in West Midnapore district. Upset at this development, the Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee is demanding withdrawal of the joint forces operating in the area and making wild allegations against the CPI-M,” the party said in a statement after its politburo meeting here.

The politburo, which discussed a report on the political situation in West Bengal, also alleged that Mamata was trying to divide West Bengal by forging ties with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

“Not only is the Trinamool Congress collaborating with the Maoists, recently the railway minister visited Darjeeling and is forging ties with the GJM who are bent upon dividing the state of West Bengal,” the statement said.

The politburo vowed that the state’s ruling CPI-M-led Left Front “will continue to expose these unprincipled alliances and fight such disruptive politics”.

The party said the election campaign of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) for the local bodies elections in Kerala is receiving a positive response from the people.

The elections will be held Oct 23 and 25.