Cong wants ‘deserters’ to return to party

At the function,the party welcomed the return of Trinamool Congress leader Mohd Rafiq who had left the Congress almost 12 years ago.

Bhuniya said he would also apprise party general secretary Rahul Gandhi,who will arrive here on Monday,of the “murders and killings orchestrated by CPM across the state.”

He told reporters that he would approach the state administration to facilitate those rendered homeless in areas like Keshpur,Garbeta,Goaltore and other places.

“If Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is unable to persuade the homeless return,then he should quit”,he said.

The Congress leader also urged the CITU to withdraw its strike call for Tuesday in view of this being the month of Ramzan.

Rafiq hit the headlines in early 2000 following fierce fighting against CPM for control over Keshpur in East Midnapore district.

“Earlier,I used to be treated as a brother (in Trinamool Congress),and then as a step brother and now I am no more wanted,” he said,when asked the reason for returning to Congress.

Bhunia denied that his call to deserters to return to the Congress was a dig at Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee.

“It is nothing but to welcome those who left us,” he said.