By IANS,
New Delhi: The Congress said Monday that its West Bengal unit had extended “moral support” to the Lalgarh rally addressed by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee.
Answering queries, Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said that party leader K. Keshava Rao, who is incharge of West Bengal, had received an invitation from the rally organisers who comprised intellectuals, like writers and poets.
Asked about pro-Maoist tribal body People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) extending support to the rally, Ahmed said if some people were coming forward for the cause of peace, there was nothing wrong. “How can we stop them?” he asked.
He said the government and party’s policy to deal with the Maoist problem emphasized both development and security aspect.
“If there are any grievances or wrong perceptions, these should be addressed and if there is lack of development, it should be done. However, violence must be dealt with firmly,” Ahmed said.
He said the Congress did not take part in the rally as it had its own programmes on the day related to the party’s history and freedom struggle.