Malda violence: Yechury trashes Mamata's version as "lies"

Image
Press Trust of India Hyderabad
Last Updated : Jan 11 2016 | 7:07 PM IST
Criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion that the recent violence in Malda district was not a communal strife, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury today said that there is not even a grain of truth in her statement.
"Will the communal forces ever say that the violence is communal. RSS and BJP that stoke communal violence will always say it's not communal. Nor will the other side whichever is stoking. So, Bengal Chief Minister saying (it) is not communal violence has got not a grain of truth in it," he told reporters here.
The violence in Malda is clearly an attempt to polarise the voter in West Bengal, he said and claimed that the ruling Trinamool Congress is hoping that the polarisation will benefit with the minorities moving towards Trinamool Congress while BJP is hoping such polarisation will benefit it with the communal majority moving to them.
"This is a cynical game being played and this is being played at the cost of the life of innocent people," Yechury said.
Mamata's comments came against the backdrop of the violence that broke out at Kaliachak in Malda, which had prompted the Union Home Ministry to seek a report from the state government.
Yechury alleged that the ground was laid deliberately for such a violence to take place. "That is the whole game and that is a very very dangerous game."
Replying to a query if CPI(M) will have any tie-up with Congress for the ensuing Assembly election in West Bengal, Yechury said, "As far as CPI(M) is concerned there is no question of any front or any alliance with Congress which applies to the whole country.
"Yes, there is a very strong feeling among people of Bengal that this Trinamool Congress government must be defeated so that democracy is restored in Bengal. Now, how that will shape up...Let's wait and see.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 11 2016 | 7:07 PM IST

Next Story