Forward Bloc blasts CPM for Cong ties

The West Bengal leadership of the Forward Bloc expressed its discontent on Friday over the CPM state secretary’s comment that one has to vote for the Congress to counter the BJP and made it clear that the CPM leader made the remark without discussing the issue among the Left Front parties.

“The issue (of Left-Congress alliance) was not discussed in the Left Front. No decision has been taken in the Left Front in this regard. It (CPM state secretary’s comment) can only be the opinion of one party,” said Forward Bloc state secretary Naren Chatterjee.

He minced no words regarding the issue of Left Front’s decision-making process in choosing alliance partners. “ Are we (Left Front) a pendulum? Why cannot we fight on our own strength?” asked Chatterjee.

As for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s invitation to Forward Bloc leadership for Trinamool Congress’ mega rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Central Kolkata on January 19, Chatterjee said that they had received official invitation on Wednesday, and would take a call on the matter in their next state committee meeting.

Earlier this week, CPM state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said that one has to vote for the Congress to defeat the BJP.