Congress rejects Basu’s appeal

“It is impossible for the Congress supporters to vote for the Left Front candidates and our workers in all the blocks in West Bengal have understood clearly the CPM’s heinous move to divide the votes against them by exploiting a respectable leader like Basu,” Bhattacharjee added.

In a surprise move just days ahead of the November 7 by-polls,Basu on Sunday appealed to Congress voters for support the Left candidates,accusing the Trinamool Congress of unleashing violence together with the Maoists. This is the first time that the CPM had directly appealed to Congress supporters to vote for the Left.

“We gave unconditional support to Congress to counter communalism and save the country. Now,when the state is facing a severe crisis,I would ask Congress supporters to back Left Front candidates for peace,order and development,” the 97-year-old former chief minister had said.

Asked whether the state Congress will issue any direction for their workers not to vote for the CPM and Left Front in the light of Basu’s appeal,Bhattacharjee said,“There is no need. They are politically mature enough and understand the CPM’s gameplan.”

“First,we are rejecting Basu’s appeal. Secondly,we want to say that no power on earth would now be able to break the electoral alliance between the two Opposition parties — the Trinamool Congress and Congress. And lastly,I am confident our combine will win all the 10 seats,” he said.

Leader of the Congress Legislative Party Manas Bhuniya,who is also campaigning in North Bengal,said: “This is unfortunate that the CPM had utilised Basu for making such an absurd appeal. The Marxists have lost their support base in our state and are now trying to divide the two Opposition parties which are fighting them jointly after a long time. Basu’s appeal would not have any impact on our supporters.”

Basu’s party colleagues,however,termed the appeal as an important move. CPM leader Sitaram Yechuri said: “Basu is a senior political father figure in Indian politics. I think he has made a very right suggestion. It is up to the Congress. Whatever they want to say,let them say.”

Another CPM leader Brinda Karat said the appeal is extremely important and goes beyond party considerations for the future of West Bengal.

Basu’s appeal,however,did not find favour with CPM ally CPI. “We are not in agreement with his (Basu) statement as it appeared in newspapers,” said CPI state council secretary Manju Kumar Majumdar.