Cong challenges CM for debate on Left’s ‘development’

“I challenge them to sit for a debate with us in front of everyone. The chief minister is presenting distorted facts,” he added.

“In 1977,only Maharashtra was ahead of us in the industrial sector. Now,we are in sixth position. At present,Bengal stands first only in trafficking of women and children,” the Congress leader said.

“There is a debt of Rs 1 lakh 56 crore and the government pays interest of Rs 14 crore every year,” he added.

The Congress,he said,will highlight the issues of under development and the growing violence in the state during the forthcoming Assembly session that is scheduled to begin on June 25.

Left Front needs to do ‘ruthless self-introspection’: RSP
Within hours after the Left Front observed 33 years of uninterrupted rule in West Bengal,a senior leader and minister on Tuesday said it has lost touch with the people who wanted change,while a key partner criticised the CPM.

“The Front has remained in power for long. Now,people want a change. Earlier,only a handful clamoured for change in the guard. Now,the demand has become widespread,” RSP leader and PWD Minister Kshiti Goswami said while calling for “ruthless self-introspection”. Goswami,who has criticised Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his party the CPM on earlier occasions,said,“We must find out why we are becoming unacceptable to the people. Front activists right,from leaders to the workers,will have to analyse the reasons.” Stating that it was immaterial whether the Left Front returned to power in coming assembly elections,he said,it was more important for Left parties to continue their struggle for social change. PTI