TMC intimidating opposition workers: Mishra

CPI-M West Bengal secretary Surya Kanta Mishra today said the ruling Trinamool Congress was "systematically threatening and intimidating workers of opposition parties".
Mishra also accused the TMC of trying to poach on opposition MLAs by the use of force and threat.
"In areas where the TMC did not fare well in the last Assembly election, it is attacking our party workers and cadres. They are using threat and intimidation to force the opposition MLAs, councillors and public representatives in local bodies to join the TMC. They are not getting funds under MLALAD scheme. They are filing false cases against our cadres," he said.

Mishra alleged that more than 180 Left workers over the past five years had been killed by the Trinamool Congress.
"Nowhere in India has such a planned and systematic attack taken place to eliminate a political organisation and its movement. What is happening in West Bengal is a savage and premeditated attack on democracy, the democratic rights of citizens and their right to lead a dignified life," a senior CPI-M leader said.
In the last one week, several councillors of Left and Congress-controlled municipal bodies have joined the TMC. Although the ruling party led by Mamata Banerjee has claimed that these councillors have joined TMC to become part of the developmental process, the opposition had accused the party of poaching on its public representatives.