Kolkata, Nov 11 (IANS) The operation to flush out Maoists from Lalgarh in West Bengal would continue till the situation was “completely under control”, senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee said Wednesday, notwithstanding ally Trinamool Congress’ demand that it be called off immediately.
Asserting that the security operation to flush out the extreme Left wing rebels from the Lalgarh belt in West Midnapore district was a joint initiative of the central and the West Bengal governments, the union finance minister said: “The operation would continue till the entire situation is brought under control.”

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly urged the central government to withdraw the joint operation, arguing that the state’s ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) was using it to regain lost political ground and sneaking in armed party cadres to terrorise the opposition.

While turning down her demand, Mukherjee, however, praised Banerjee for the spectacular success of the Congress-Trinamool combine, which picked up eight of the 10 seats in Saturday’s state assembly by-polls.

“The Trinamool Congress scored very well in the by-polls. They won in all seven seats. People again have reposed faith on Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s leadership,” said Mukherjee, also the West Bengal Pradesh Congress president.

Mukherjee said the by-poll results showed that people had faith in the Congress-Trinamool combine.

“The result also proves that the ruling Left Front (LF) is gradually losing popularity among people,” he told reporters.

According to Mukherjee, the Congress and the Trinamool Congress were together in the state and the electoral alliance would continue in future as well.

Asked about the defeat of Congress candidate in Goalpokhar seat, he said: “I had talks with Deepa Dasmunsi about the result in Goalpokhor seat. We’re reviewing the result now.”

The seat in West Dinajpur district fell vacant after Dasmunshi, who won it in 2006, got elected to the Lok Sabha earlier this year. Mukherjee held a meeting with senior state Congress leaders to discuss the party’s organisational issues.