By IANS,
Kolkata : Accusing West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress of resorting to violence to stifle the voices of protests, the Left Front (LF) Monday said such tactics would hinder development.
“The violent means resorted to by the Trinamool will lead to deterioration in law and order and hinder the state’s development. The Trinamool must stop its violent acts,” Left Front chairman Biman Bose told mediapersons here.
Accusing the Trinamool of adopting violent means during the polls to six civic corporations in the state Sunday, Bose complained of post-poll disturbances in which Left Front workers, local leaders and common people were attacked.
“During election campaigns, a lot of issues are raised by opposing parties. Whoever gets the support of the people wins. But Trinamool is trying to vitiate the electoral process. This is dangerous for democracy,” he said after a meeting of Left Front partners.
Bose alleged that in Bally of Howrah district, 16-17 Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) offices had been ransacked by the Trinamool and party leaders beaten up.
“We condemn this incident and demand protection of democratic rights and individual freedom and protection of the right to protest,” he said.
The Left Front partners will also chalk up an anti-imperialism programme against the US military strategy in the Asia-Pacific region where India is being used as a buffer, he said.
Besides the Left Front, left forces outside its ambit would also be requested to attend the programme.
Bose announced that the Left Front partners would observe the 35th anniversary of the formation of the first Left government June 21,1977, by organising a debate – in a departure from the routine speeches of its leaders – in which economists, social scientists and journalists will take part. The debate will have the theme “West Bengal – Before and After Left Front government”.