CPI-M leaders to share stage with Rahul Gandhi

CPI-M leaders will be sharing the stage with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi who would address three rallies in poll-bound West Bengal on Saturday.

The Congress, which has entered into a seat-sharing arrangement with the Communist Party of India-Marxist spearheaded Left Front, had invited the Marxist leaders for Gandhi's three rallies in Kulti and Durgapur in Burdwan district and Bankura.

Confirming the development, CPI-M leader Rabin Deb said the presence of Marxists leaders at the rallies will send out a positive signal to the people.

The development came on a day when Congress leader Abdul Mannan released "Lortey Hobey Eksathey" (Have to Fight Together), a booklet harping on the necessity of the Congress-Left tie-up.

The book was released in the presence of several Congress and Marxists leaders and former Supreme Court judge A.K. Ganguly.

"Under the current political scenario, this tie-up is imperative to oust the despotic Mamata Banerjee government under which everybody is under attack. From democracy to the common people, from institution to even the police, none are spared," said Ganguly.

Ganguly also attacked Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee for ridiculing the tie-up.

"This is not the first time the Left and the Congress have come together. Her constant attack of the tie-up is an indication of her apprehension that this tie-up will be able to achieve its target is ousting this despotic government," he said.

Calling the formation of the tie-up historic, Mannan said it was important for both the Congress and the Left Front to "come out of the shadow of the past" and plan according to the situation to achieve the aim of ousting the Trinamool regime.

Reflecting on the success of the 'Grand Alliance' in Bihar where old foes RJD and JD-U joined hands with the Congress against the Bharatiya Janata Party, the booklet asserts the same can be done in Bengal.

"If it can be done in Bihar, it can be done in Bengal also. The Left and Congress along with the civil society can join forces to defeat the Trinamool," said Mannan quoting the booklet.