Cong slams Deb, CPM

Siliguri, April 12: Darjeeling district Congress today blamed north Bengal development minister and Trinamul leader Gautam Deb for inciting tension in town. The Congress also criticised the CPM for creating unrest in the region. “We have serious doubts as to how much Trinamul and the north Bengal development minister, who often speaks of development agenda, is serious about development,” said Shankar Malakar, the Darjeeling district Congress president. “Whatever Trinamul has done earlier this week is just an imitation of what the CPM had been doing over the past three-and-half decades.” Siliguri witnessed political clashes between CPM and Trinamul workers recently. Over 20 people were injured and several CPM leaders and workers were picked up. “Leaders of both parties (CPM and Trinamul) must play a better role in stopping violence, instead of inciting their workers,” Malakar said. CPM leader Asok Bhattacharya said: “Trinamul is trying to import its innate culture of vandalism, violence and attacks in Siliguri. We are anxious over the manner in which Trinamul is resorting to violence, without any provocation, at the behest of the north Bengal development minister.” Deb blamed the CPM for the attacks. “We feel pity for Asok Bhattacharya. He has no right to speak about political culture and peace. Those guilty of attacking Trinamul workers would not be spared.”