Biman accuses TMC of intimidating LF workers before rally

A day before the LF's Brigade rally here, the Left Front and Trinamool Congress today traded charges with the Left accusing the TMC of intimidating its workers not to join it, a charge denied by the ruling party.
"The ruling TMC claims there is democracy in the state. It is nothing but party dictatorship. Had there been democracy, our party workers and supporters would not have been attacked on their way to the Brigade," Bose told reporters.
"All political parties have their right to hold meetings and express views uninterrupted, but our workers and supporters are either attacked or heckled and even threatened by the ruling party for attending Brigade rally," Bose said.

Claiming even the BJP had not faced such a situation during its recent Brigade rally which was addressed by the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the CPI(M) state secretary wondered "Why our workers and supporters are attacked at different places and their democratic rights curbed?"
Denying the charge, TMC all-India general secretary Mukul Roy said the LF chairman was crying foul apprehending a low turnout at their rally.
"I don't know how many people will attend the LF's Brigade rally tomorrow. Biman Bose has already started blame game apprehending a poor turnout," he said.

"People in Bengal have rejected the LF since there was no democracy during their 35-years rule. We have restored it and thus the recent panchayat election witnessed a massive turnout of voters. The LF has turned irrelevant," Roy said.

He even challenged Bose to come out with specific complaints where LF supporters were attacked.
"We will take steps immediately," Roy asserted.
Bose, however, cautioned party workers and supporters to be careful on their way to the Brigade parade grounds and back, saying "We have information that there could be more attacks on us."
Urging the state administration and police to take immediate steps in ensuring safety of their party workers and supporters, Bose expressed hope that the state government would act responsibly.