Top Left leaders shy away from civic poll campaign

In view of the recent erosion of votebank across the state,the ruling CPM is hesitant to ask its top leadership,including Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee,to campaign for the civic polls.

In view of the recent erosion of votebank across the state,the ruling CPM is hesitant to ask its top leadership,including Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee,to campaign for the civic polls. Instead,the party and the Left Front have decided to ask its cadres to face the election according to their own ability and strength.

CPM sources said,neither the Chief Minister nor party state secretary Biman Bose will be seen campaigning for the civic polls to be held on May 30.

We have no such personality who can lead the campaign. It was evident in the last Lok Sabha elections that the CM too has lost his charisma following the Singur and Nandigram flare up, said a senior Left Front leader.

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Biman Bose said the Front has asked its cadres to organise local-level campaigns instead of big rallies. This time our cadres have been asked to organise small meetings where local leaders will speak. For next 14 days they will do it at all the 81 municipal areas, said Bose.

The Left Front met at the CPM headquarters at Alimuddin Street on Saturday to discuss the prospect of the ruling combine in the civic polls. We have told our cadres to work to achieve a target of 50 per cent votes,because now this is clear that the TMC and the Congress will act together against the Left candidates. There are reports that they (TMC) are resorting to any means to win the votes, said Bose.