Alleging that foreign powers are collaborating with conspirators who want to prevent the spread of the Left movement in India, and are trying to create a situation of unrest and undermine the unity of West Bengal, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee appealed to the people here on Sunday to accept “the challenge” posed by such forces.
Addressing a rally organised by the Left Front in protest against, among other issues, the political violence targeting workers of the Left parties, Mr. Bhattacharjee said: “This rally is a call for the farmers, workers and daily-wagers, who have created the Left Front to oppose these powers that are conspiring to destabilise the State and ensure that a stronger Left Front emerges.”
Those with vested interests were trying to hold back development in West Bengal by obstructing Left Front initiatives to create industry, the Chief Minister added.
Mr. Bhattacharjee said conspirators propagated that “the Left Front must be attacked and obstructed, and if required, even West Bengal divided.”
Trinamool criticised
Attacking the Trinamool Congress for not voicing its protest against the separatist movements in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar, he said: “The Opposition party has not spoken against those who are trying to fragment the State. The Trinamool Congress is allied with those who are trying to divide West Bengal.”
He charged that the Trinamool Congress was conspiring with the Maoists and was opposed to the presence of joint security forces in the Jangalmahal region as if to facilitate “the cowardly attacks” by the extremists on Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers.
Commenting on the morale of Left supporters in those areas, Mr. Bhattacharjee said, “We haven’t surrendered…Even in the face of such attacks the people have their heads held high.”
Concerned at the rise in food prices, he said he had urged the Centre to extend the public distribution system to all sections and provide for subsidies in food grains, sugar, oil, and domestic fuels.
‘Counter challenge’
Mr. Bhattacharjee also made a special appeal to the tribal community, Muslims, intellectuals and the youth to counter the conspiracy.
The rally began on a sombre note with the observance of a minute of silence in memory of the 168 supporters of Left parties who have been killed since the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results in 2009.
Recordings of snatches of speeches made by veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu were broadcast.
The price rise was among the issues raised at the rally, attended by CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Sitaram Yechury, Biman Bose, Nirupam Sen and Mohammed Amin and senior leaders from other constituents of the Left Front.
Threatens strike
On the recommendations of the Kirit Parikh Committee, Mr. Amin said: “If any step to raise the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas are taken, we will call for an all-India strike in protest.”
