The Tagore factor: CPM wont be party-pooper in Mamata bash

The EC,while allowing the function to be attended by eminent artistes and others,has expressed reservation over Mamatas presence. A letter from the ECI that reached the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO,Sunil Gupta,on Sunday said that it did not approve of the involvement of politicians as well as political speech at the event.

Mamata Banerjee is a politician and we believe that she cannot be involved in organising the function. But we dont know if anybody objects if she becomes a member of the audience, said N K Sahana,the additional CEO.

According to sources in the Railways,Mamata will most likely be present at the event. The minister knows very well that she cannot make a political speech there. But she can always come and encourage us so that the function is organised in a befitting manner, a senior Railways official said.

Surprisingly,Mamata has got support from the most unexpected quarters. I find nothing wrong if Mamata Banerjee joins the Railways function to celebrate Gurudevs birthday. Why should we object if she chooses to speak on Tagore and nothing related to politics? Deb told The Indian Express.