CPI-M ridicules Mamata for reaching out to Nitish

Describing her as the "most intolerant person in the state", the CPI-M on Wednesday ridiculed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's attempts to reach out to her Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar.

Interacting with media persons here, Communist Party of India-Marxist Lok Sabha member Mohammad Salim lambasted the Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government over a host of issues and asserted that the Left parties were gaining ground in the state.

"It is laughable that the most intolerant person, who heads the most intolerant party in the state, is talking about intolerance. What can be more ironical than a person who has no respect for democratic norms, laws or rights and who is known for hobnobbing with the communal BJP, is now projecting herself as a crusader against intolerance," said Salim.

"Her bid to reach out to Nitish Kumar is an attempt to bask in reflective glory of what has been achieved by others. This is reflective of her political bankruptcy and a desperate attempt to find a place in national politics," he said.

After the Bihar poll results, Banerjee took to social networking site Twitter to congratulate Nitish Kumar and RJD chief Lalu Prasad for their "victory over intolerance".

Pointing out to the "alarming" industrial scenario including starvation deaths in closed tea estates in the state, Salim charged the Banerjee government with ignoring the core issues faced by the common man.

"Industrial units are closing down on by one, farmers' suicides are continuing, workers of closed tea estates are dying of malnutrition, but our chief minister has no time for these burning issues. She is busy playing politics," he said.

Accusing the Trinamool of having a tacit understanding with the BJP, Salim said the Left parties had the capability of stopping the combine of "Modi bhai-Didi bhai" (Banerjee) from destroying the state.