CPI-M, BJP colluding to harass Trinamool though CBI, ED: Mamata

Attacking Left Front spearhead CPI-M in this red citadel, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday charged the Marxists with joining the BJP in harassing her Trinamool Congress leaders by using central agencies like ED and CBI.

Referring to the opposition campaign centred around the Saradha chit fund scandal as also the Narada sting footage that purportedly showed a number of Trinamool leaders taking money in return for doling out favours to a fictitious company, Banerjee said: "They are saying Saradha to Narada. But Saradha was formed during your (Communist Party of India-Marxist led Left Front) tenure.

"They're calling Trinamool corrupt. What audacity! People will make you hold your tongue. None from my party has taken money.

"This is a joint game of the CPI-M and the Bharatiya Janata Party. They are harassing us by using the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and the ED (Enforcement Directorate). That's because we are a good party."

Following the Supreme Court directive, the CBI and ED are probing the Saradha scam.

Narayangarh in West Midnapore district is the assembly constituency of state CPI-M secretary and leader of the opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra, who is seeking re-election from there.

Coming down heavily on Mishra, she accused him of presiding over human carnages in areas like Netai in the district.

"So many killings had taken place in one district. And they now preach about peace," she told the election rally.

Ridiculing Mishra, who was health minister during the Left Front regime, she said: "He had not set up facilities for providing health services even in his constituency."

Banerjee promised the audience that she would hold her first rally at Narayangarh if they defeated Mishra.

Referring to CPI-M politburo member Mohammed Salim's speech at Labhpur in Birbhum district where he had warned that the Left Front will take account of all "murderers and executioners" who ran amok during the Trinamool regime after it comes to power, she said: "They are so shameless they are talking about revenge again. People will not allow you."

Banerjee asked the CPI-M why it had given up its ideology to forge an alliance with the Congress. "You are fighting each other in Kerala, but embracing each other in Bengal."