CPI-M leader accuses Trinamool of attempting to kill him

Senior CPI-M leader and Siliguri Mayor Ashok Bhattacharya on Saturday accused the state's ruling Trinamool Congress of attempting to kill him when he had gone to attend a meeting in the town in northern West Bengal.

"My car was attacked with sticks, bamboo poles and flag stands. It was a conspiracy to kill me," Bhattacharya, who served as minister during the Left Front rule, told the media.

Bhattacharya had reached the Tinbatti crossing to address the conference of a slum dwellers' union in the afternoon. "They tried to get me out of the car. But I remained inside the vehicle. Our men who had come to attend the programme, then chased the attackers."

He alleged that the violence was "orchestrated" by North Bengal Development Minister Gautam Deb.

"All this has taken place following the directive of North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb. I have mentioned this in my police complaint."

However, Deb rubbished the charges.

"He did not suffer any injury. It is an 'invisible injury'. We don't believe in the politics of violence and murder," he said.