Secret understanding between Trinamool, BJP, says CPI-M

Alleging a "secret understanding" between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said the delayed and inadequate sanctioning of central forces for the recent municipal polls was an indicator of the covert links.

"Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress have a secret understanding. These two parties had been in an alliance in the past. Now, though the Narendra Modi government has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, it is in a minority in the Rajay Sabha. So it needs parties like the Trinamool to pass bills," Yechury told media persons here.

Lashing out at the Modi governemnt, he said bills are being placed straightway for being ratified in parliament, and the system of bills being scrutinised by the standing committees is being done away with.

Turning to the Goods and Service Tax (GST) bill, which has been listed for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Yechury said West Bengal will initially lose out when the legislation comes into force.

"It is only later that the centre will pay back. But how much the centre will pay up, and when that question is there. We will see what role the Trinamool plays, particularly in the Rajya Sabha," he said.

Yechury said the central forces were rushed for the recent municipal polls very late. "And the number was also inadequate. They were of no use. The way they were sent, served no purpose. Some of the personnel even went on sightseeing. The manner of sending central forces is another indication of the understanding between the two parties."

Ruling out any alliance with the Congress, he however said his party was into issue-based cooperation with it in parliament.

"We are very clear there can be no alliance with the Congress because of fundamental ideological differences," he said.