Shakeel Ahmed alleges BJP & Left have tacit understanding
The Congress suspects that there is a tacit understanding between CPI(M) and BJP in Bengal to thwart the wave of change. HT reports.
The Congress suspects that there is a tacit understanding between CPI(M) and BJP in Bengal to thwart the wave of change.
Shakeel Ahmed, AICC in-charge of Bengal and Congress Working Committee member, said this during a press conference in Kolkata. He said the fate of dissidents such as Adhir Chowdhury and Deepa Das Munshi would be decided after the polls.
“The BJP has fielded candidates in all 294 seats this elections. Even a senior leader like LK Advani campaigned in north Bengal. We suspect that there is a tacit understanding between Left and BJP,” said Ahmed, while speaking to the media at Kolkata Press Club.
He said he suspects that the understanding is to reduce the anti-incumbency against Left in all constituencies including Dum Dum where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee are going to share the stage on April 23.
He said that the alliance would achieve a comfortable number, between 225 to 250 seats, in assembly elections out of a total 294. He said the BJP raises issues like black money only when it is in the opposition.
Ahmed said the Congress has taken string steps against dissidents, but said small resentment is not unnatural in alliances. “We have taken strong steps against people who stood as Independents. Action has been taken against people like Fazle Haq. We have spared no one. However small resentment is normal in political alliances and seat sharing,” said Ahmed.
On taking action against leaders and MPs like Adhir Choudhury and Deepa Das Munshi, he said, “There are observers in the districts. They will submit the report and if found guilty, action will be taken.” The decision will be taken after the polls.
Ahmed said he has been visiting various districts of Bengal recently and has seen much poverty. He said that though Bihar is a poor state, the condition of Bengal is worse. “The state government took R22,000 crore loan from RBI to pay salary to its employees in March,” Ahmed said.