Turncoats see straw in wind

At her mammoth rally at Esplanade,Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee became a rallying point for dissidents of all hues,including from the ruling Left Front...

At her mammoth rally at Esplanade,Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee became a rallying point for dissidents of all hues,including from the ruling Left Front,hardline Marxists like the SUCI,intellectuals formerly close to CPM,minority leaders and even rebels from the Congress.

For instance,Bengali pop singer Nachiketa,who was often seen in the company of state Transport Minister Subhas Chakrabarty,was present at the rally along with playwright Bratya. While Nachiketa enthralled the crowed with his popular song,Bratya hailed Mamata as Banglar Mukh (the face of Bengal). Basu too has been known for his Left leanings.

People need a change. I am here for the same reason. There must be an end to oppression. Mamata is the one who is a true leader for Bengal and I believe she will lead the way for change and development here, said Basu,who recently directed a drama Ruddhasangeet,which exposed CPMs dominance over artistes and intellectuals.

Hiten Burman,the former Forward Bloc MP from Cooch Behar who was denied Lok Sabha ticket this time,was also present at the rally where he formally joined the Trinamool.

Joachim Buxla,a former RSP MP from Alipurduar who recently joined the Trinamool,was also on the stage.

Two senior Congress leaders Shantiram Mahato,a state Congress office-bearer,and Shyam Mukherjee,Bankura district president of Congress today quit their party to join the Trinamool.

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