Mamata, Pranab take on Left

Subhro Maitra & Pinak Priya Bhattacharya TNN
Balurghat/Cooch Behar/Jalpaiguri: In the same party, they couldn’t see eye to eye. Then they went their separate ways in politics — till an electoral understanding and a shared loathing for the Left brought them together for a landmark alliance. Now, veteran Pranab Mukherjee and firebrand Mamata Banerjee seem to be gelling well as a campaign team. At Balurghat on Sunday, their first election rally since the Trinamool Congress and the Congress struck an alliance, the two were all smiles and bonhomie. Mamata, erstwhile bete noire, was happy to play second fiddle to Pranabda. Waving to the crowd together, they made for a happy picture that hinted at a long-lasting alliance. While Mamata restricted herself to a brief five minute speech, the external affairs minister went on to speak for about 15 minutes. As the Trinamool chief referred reverentially as “Pranabda”, Mukherjee was quick to reciprocate, describing Mamata as the “symbol of youth revolution in Bengal”. In his speech, the union minister lambasted the CPM for failing to bring about development in the state. “Those who could not extend their rule beyond three states are now dreaming of forming a government at the centre. May I ask them what have you done in 32 years in Bengal? Better learn to rule a state first, then think of the country”, said Mukherjee. Flanked by Mamata and Trinamool candidate Biplab Mitra, Mukherjee was scathing in his attack against CPM. “The CPM is arguing in favour of an independent foreign policy and nuclear-free South Asia. If India, Pakistan and other countries give up nuclear weapons, why not China? Comrades, why are you silent about China?” said Mukherjee. Regarding the prospect of a Third Front, Mukherjee was even sharper in his criticism. “What is a third front? Is CPM dreaming of forming a government with all 64 seats in three states? Neither Chandrababu Naidu, Jayalalithaa nor Mayawati were able to win a single seat outside their own state.” Justifying Congress’ alliance with Trinamool in the state, Mukherjee said, “People’s wish and Mamata’s wisdom are behind this alliance. Her role in Parliament during the presidential election and the no-confidence motion brought by BJP and CPM was praiseworthy. She detached herself from the communal parties. While allotting more seats to Trinamool we accepted the reality.” Mukherjee took on the state government on the development issue. “Was there no place apart from Singur and Nandigram to create industries? Why are they not developing the infrastructure at other places? Mukherjee asked. Mamata Banerjee, in her short speech claimed credit for implementing the Eklakhi-Balurghat railway project and promised to extend it further if they came to power. “ Though the two leaders reached Cooch Behar at 5 pm because of the chopper fiasco, people waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the two leaders. Mamata lambasted BJP for supporting Gorkhaland and fielding Jaswant Singh from Darjeeling with GJM’s support. She also appealed to the tribals to lift the poll boycott call. “If you stay away from polling it will help CPM. Whatever your grievances are please reflect it in the electronic voting machines so that this government is thrown out,” she said. External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee blamed the state government for the sorry state of affairs in the tea gardens. “Centre had announced a package for revival of the closed tea gardens but the state government failed to implement it,” said Mukherjee. As dusk had fallen by the time they finished, the chopper couldn’t take off and the duo travelled by road to Birpara for the next meeting. The poll pitch was raised there as well, with both leaders slamming the Left on various counts. But the final thrust was left for the meeting at Jalpaiguri, where the team reached only around 9 pm. The 70,000-strong crowd had been waiting since 1 pm. Both leaders slammed the Left on the Gorkhaland issue, reminding people that the call of a Gorkha homeland was endorsed by the undivided CPI in the 1940s. Pranab pointed at the figures of the rural job guarantee scheme to highlight the Left’s failure. While Andhra had provided 78 days of work, Maharashtra 88 days and Tamil Nadu 93 days, Bengal had provided work for only 19 days out of the guaranteed 100, he said. Copter fiasco spoils campaign party Balurghat/Cooch Behar: The Pranab-Mamata North Bengal campaign was almost thrown out of gear on Sunday after the chopper that was supposed to ferry them from Balurghat to Cooch behar was detected to be low on fuel. The two leaders were to leave Balurghat Railway Maidan, the meeting venue, at 1.30 pm but were delayed by one and a half hours as the copter was refuelled. Balurghat Trinamool leader Biplab Mitra claimed, “It is an attempt to sabotage their programme. Administration has intentionally delayed the refilling so that their Cooch Behar plans get affected.” District magistrate Ashok Banerjee denied the allegation. “When we heard about the fuel shortage, we arranged for it. But it took time.” The two leaders reached Cooch Behar and Birpara late, and finally wound up at Jalpaiguri around 10 pm. TNN