Left gathers ammo for all-party meeting called by Mamata

* Announces protests against political violence and ‘unilateral decisions’ of govt"
Days ahead of the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Left Front today decided to confront the Trinamool Congress-led regime on several accounts, including political violence and 'unilateral decisions’ taken by it, including the Gorkhaland pact.
To begin with, the front will launch a series of agitations, including one in front of Parliament, to protest the political violence in the state.
With the all-party meeting scheduled at Writers' Buildings on August 3, the Left Front has listed a series of allegations against the government, accusing it of destroying the democratic principles of the state.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of the Front, chairman Biman Bose today alleged the Trinamool Congress was playing dirty games in North Bengal regarding the formation of the Uttarbanga Unnoyon Parshad.
"Being a government body, there should have been adequate representation from all sections of society in North Bengal, including adivasis of the region. But the TMC leaders have nominated only Udyaan Guha, veteran Forward Bloc leader in the region, along with other GJM MLAs and a Congress MLA," said Bose.
Bose said the Left Front strongly condemns all such measures by the TMC to divide the Left unity. "We strongly protest this discriminatory attitude shown in a government body," said Bose.
Ever since the appointment of Sunanda Goswami, wife of RSP leader Khisiti Goswami, as head of the State Women's Commission, the front has been highly wary of the Trinamool Congress trying to split the Left ranks.
Bose said the Left Front had decided to lead a sit-in demonstration in front of the Assembly on August 12 to protest the unending cycle of political violence in the state.
The Left Front will also demonstrate in front of Parliament on August 25 to protest what he called state-sponsored political terror.
"We have made several requests to the government to take proper measures against the perpetrated violence. Since March, 52 Left Front workers have been killed and hundreds injured and rendered homeless," alleged Bose.
He criticised the state government of being unable to control local land wars at several places such as Haroa, Kulpi and Aamdanga and accused it of shielding Trinamool Congress workers involved in these cases.
Bose said all Left allies and CPM representatives will be present at the all-party meet next week. "We have been only given the agenda but the government has not expressed its views regarding the subjects. We will listen to the government and then voice our opinion," said Bose.
Three subjects have been earmarked for the meeting, which includes change of the name of the state from West Bengal, change of the name of East Midnapore district and reorganisation of districts. The CPM, though, has always supported the proposal of changing the state's name.
~ Express News Service