Thaindian News

Kolkata, Nov 27 (IANS) The Congress’ West Bengal unit Sunday alleged that several Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) workers have infiltrated the Trinamool Congress to jeopardise the relationship of the alliance partners, both at the centre and the state.

“Disillusioned by their leadership, many CPI-M workers have been joining other parties. While we have exercised caution while inducting them, the Trinamool Congress hasn’t. There is need for caution because some of them have infiltrated with the motive of jeopardising our relationship,” state Congress chief Pradip Bhattacharya said.

“In the past several attacks on the Congress in the state, most of the miscreants were former CPI-M workers who have joined Trinamool Congress recently,” added Bhattacharya.

Stating that the panchayats (rural bodies) in the state were not getting sufficient financial help, Bhattacharya urged the Mamata Banerjee government to look into the matter.

“Panchayats in the state, especially in Malda and Dinajpur districts have not been getting the funds. There is a need to look as to why this is happening. I therefore urge the government to address the problem,” he said.

Highlighting the plight of rice cultivators in the state, Bhattacharya said the farmers were not getting even the minimum support price while the increased cost of cultivation has made them debt-ridden.

“I had a talk with (union minister of state for agriculture) K.V. Thomas and asked whether he can involve the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) so that the condition of the rice cultivators can be improved. There is an urgent need for NAFED initiative for our farmers,” added Bhattacharjee.

The Congress will also organise mass deputation at block level across West Bengal on Dec 8 and 9 to protest against alleged neglect of the panchayats by the state government.