Kabir flares up again,Trinamool gets cold feet

Suman said party’s chief whip Sudip Bandopadhyay had written a letter to him saying he could voice his opinion at a meeting of parliamentary committee to be held after the Union budget.

“There can be a meeting of parliamentary committee but my decision to go ahead with the protest will not change. I cannot change myself. I will continue to speak against Operation Green Hunt and against UAPA,” said the singer-turned-MP.

“I have earlier told respected Mamata Banerjee to raise her voice against Operation Green Hunt as it will harm tribals. I ask her now to raise her voice against this. Had she opposed the operation,there would have been a scope to reconsider my decision,” added Suman. “I am not doing this to become a big political leader,” added the MP who is planning to stage a dharna outside Parliament from February 23,a day before his party chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presents the Railway Budget.

Trinamool leaders are worried that Suman’s decision will only strengthen the ruling CPM,which has often accused Mamata Banerjee’s party of having links with the Maoists.

While a section of Trinamool leaders feels any immediate action against Suman will give the CPM an opportunity to campaign against their party and force a by-election in Jadavpur,others say the party should replace the recalcitrant MP immediately.