West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee might be facing difficult times what with the presidential poll and the financial crunch, but for partymen she is still the ultimate goodluck charm. Addressing a public meeting in Basirhat, about 66 km to the north east of Kolkata, Trinamool minister Jyotipriya Mullick indulged in some CPI(M) bashing. “Do not look at the faces of CPI(M) miscreants. If they are to your left, turn right. Because, if you so much as look at them you will invite bad luck. You might meet with some accident on the road...” continued Mullick.

The only antidote to the dangers of the basilisk-like CPI(M), according to Mullick, was a photograph of the party chief. “Put up a photograph of Mamata Banerjee in your house, and before you step out every morning, take a long look at her face. This will protect you from the evil motives of CPI(M) men,” advised Mullick.

Mullick’s iterations had earlier drawn a fair amount of criticism for the Trinamool Congress, but the Trinamool leadership was not known to have cautioned him. After Sunday’s meeting

Mullick could not be reached for comments.

This is not the first time Mullick had voiced his radical thoughts.

On April 15, at a public meeting in North 24 Parganas, he had exhorted partymen not to mingle with CPI(M) supporters, marry into their families, attend their weddings, or even sit next to them. He also urged people to boycott CPI(M) sympathisers.