The Centre should 'topple' the Left Front government in West Bengal for "state-sponsored terrorism" against activists of the opposition parties, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee demanded on Tuesday. "We want the Centre to topple this government which has unleashed state-sponsored terrorim against the opposition," Banerjee told a press conference at her residence in Kolkata.
Stating that she was in touch with Union Home Minister P Chidamdaram on violence in the state, she alleged, "the rule of law does not exist. Internal security is at stake as the administration is colluding with criminal gangs.Atrocities on opposition activists in the state surpass state-sponsored torture at Tiananmen Square in Beijing," the railway minister said.
Banerjee alleged that CPI-M ministers openly moved with arms while the police remained a silent spectator. "Illegal arms stolen from armouries have been found in houses of CPI-M leaders." She wondered at the 'hidden force aiding and abetting the ruling party in procuring arms'. "From where are these arms being smuggled to CPI-M leaders' houses?"
Taking a dig at Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, currently on a holiday, Banerjee alleged that it was at his behest that Trinamool supporters were being killed. Claiming that the CPI-M was demoralised after repeated election defeats, she said "60 to 70 Trinamool workers have been killed, including panchayat pradhan Nishikanta Mondal at Nandigram."
She also alleged that the CPI-M and Maoists were hand in glove. "They have good relations. During elections, Maoists help the CPI-M to win. The tussle between them is an internal conflict." Without naming tribal leader Chhatradhar Mahato, Banerjee said "If anyone has to be arrested, let it be. But how is it that the administration keeps quiet when CPI-M cadres openly move with arms and kill people?" Stating that the party should not be taken to be weak in the face of attacks, she said rallies would be organised statewide after Lakshmi puja.
