Siliguri, 23 December: All India Trinamul Congress general secretary, Mukul Roy said the CPI-M is trying to stoke fire again in the Darjeeling Hills. “The long restless Hills are now peaceful. We have ensured democracy and a level playing field for all the parties. But the Marxists as is their wont would try to stoke fire for sectarian political interests,” he said while addressing a public meeting in Siliguri today.
He further said the CPI-M is indulging in hypocritical politics. “They are saying something in the Hills and when in the plains they are speaking just the reverse,” he added.
Lauding the Mamata Banerjee government, the senior ruling party leader said things were on the boil when the Left Front government relinquished power. “The Hills and the plains were at daggers drawn. The Marxists were exterminated from the surface of the Hills,” he said.
“The chief minister has endeared herself to the people of the Hills by bonding them in her heart. They have accepted her as their guardian. This despite the fact she keeps affirming that the state is indivisible,” he said.
Pointing fingers at the CPI-M leader, Asok Bhattacharya, he said they are now trying to muddle waters in the Hills for electoral fishes. “But such shenanigans would not succeed,” Mr Roy said.
However, trashing the charges, Mr Bhattacharya said his party is committed to peace and development in the Hills.
“Acting hand in glove, TMC and GJMM had set the Hills on fire when we were in power,” he added. Speaking of the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) scam, Mr Roy said the state government has started an impartial probe.
“Several heads would roll. Even Asok Bhattacharya would not be spared. His face is also smeared with the tar of corruption,” he said.
He further said the CPI-M is indulging in hypocritical politics. “They are saying something in the Hills and when in the plains they are speaking just the reverse,” he added.
Lauding the Mamata Banerjee government, the senior ruling party leader said things were on the boil when the Left Front government relinquished power. “The Hills and the plains were at daggers drawn. The Marxists were exterminated from the surface of the Hills,” he said.
“The chief minister has endeared herself to the people of the Hills by bonding them in her heart. They have accepted her as their guardian. This despite the fact she keeps affirming that the state is indivisible,” he said.
Pointing fingers at the CPI-M leader, Asok Bhattacharya, he said they are now trying to muddle waters in the Hills for electoral fishes. “But such shenanigans would not succeed,” Mr Roy said.
However, trashing the charges, Mr Bhattacharya said his party is committed to peace and development in the Hills.
“Acting hand in glove, TMC and GJMM had set the Hills on fire when we were in power,” he added. Speaking of the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) scam, Mr Roy said the state government has started an impartial probe.
“Several heads would roll. Even Asok Bhattacharya would not be spared. His face is also smeared with the tar of corruption,” he said.
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE