In what could be construed as a direct challenge to the Maoists from the heartland of a region where they have been active, Trinamool Congress leaders, without naming the rebels, said in Jangalmahal on Tuesday that those threatening to wipe out the party there would not be successful in their designs.
The remark is significant as it was made at a public rally organised by the youth wing of the Trinamool Congress at Belpahari in the State's Paschim Medinipur district — till recently the epicentre of left-wing extremist activity in the region.
Naxals strident
The Maoists have over the past few weeks been critical of the Trinamool Congress leadership, issuing statements against the attack on tribals of the region by activists of the “Bhairab Bahini,” an armed outfit allegedly patronised by the party. Posters, put up purportedly by the Maoists, have also appeared recently at various places in the area against the “anti-people” line adopted by certain leaders of the Trinamool Congress.
Speaking at the rally, Mukul Roy, Union Minister of State for Shipping and also the all-India general secretary of the Trinamool Congress and a target of the ire of the Maoists, said that those “threatening and intimidating” party workers would not be able to make much headway. “We have faced attacks from the Left parties for the past 34 years but have finally prevailed,” he said.
Time to work together
“We do not want bloodshed. It is time for us to work together,” Mr. Roy said, even as he criticised attempts, apparently by the Maoists, “to scare away people from attending the rally.”
Subhendu Adhikari, a Trinamool Congress MP, said there were indications of people of the region standing up to Maoists there. He referred to the “large number of youth of Jangalmahal coming out to oppose the bandh call given by the Maoists on October 22” as evidence of growing resentment against their violent ways.
“The State government is determined on driving out armed men from the region and ensure that those who had fled in the face of terror returned,” he added.
By speaking out against the Maoists, the Trinamool Congress leaders gave indication of their resolve to counter the rebels “politically,” even as there were indications that the security forces were bracing for a fresh offensive against them.
Mamata's welfare schemes
“Our leader Mamata Banerjee has initiated development programmes in the region. Let me ask those who oppose us today to point out one commitment made by her that she has failed to keep,” asked Mr. Roy.
The State leadership of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) has been accusing the Chief Minister of not keeping her pre-election promise of ensuring the withdrawal of joint security forces deployed in the Jangalmahal region to counter left-wing extremism. Recently it criticised her for “lying” that there have been no joint security operations against their colleagues in the region.
