Goutam Dev, Ashok Bhattacharya in war of words over SMC Board

North Bengal Development minister Goutam Deb today said the Trinamool Congress will form the board of Siliguri Municipal Corporation in a democratic, fair manner evoking sharp reaction from CPI(M) leader Ashok Bhattacharya.
"The 47 elected councillors will vote for our Chairman and we will form the board," Deb told reporters here.
"People of Siliguri don't want the return of red terror once more," he added.
In a retort to Deb's words, former West Bengal minister Ashok Bhattacharya said, "He seems to have forgotten simple arithmetics."
"The desperation of TMC shows the countdown for its fall has started. People will not be on their side in future," Bhattacharya said.

The CPI(M)-led Left Front had captured 23 of the 47 seats in SMC polls while the TMC bagged 17 seats.
The Siliguri civic poll was billed a prestige fight for Deb and Bhattacharya.