Mamata Banerjee slams Congress leaders, criticises CPIM

MALDA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today came down heavily on the Congress leadership in state, accusing them of bowing their heads to CPI(M) which had once used "abusive words" against former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"Two senior Congress leaders from Malda and one from Murshidabad have bowed their heads to the CPI(M) which had once used abusive words against Rajivji and coined a slogan in their rallies. Are they fit to be called Congress men anymore! These leaders seem to have literally sold the Congress flag to suit their own personal interest," the TMC supremo told a public meeting at Sujapur in Malda district without taking any names.

Banerjee said Congress, which entered into a poll alliance with CPI(M), did not have the right to ask for vote cashing on the legacy of Malda satrap late A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury and claimed, "Remember Ghani Khan had threatened to dump the CPI(M) in the Bay of Bengal."

"Those claiming to inherit his legacy are entering into alliance with the same CPI(M). Do they have any self respect! This shows their political bankruptcy. They will be dumped by the people of the state," she said.

Banerjee also hit out at CPI(M), accusing it of "leaving behind the ideology of Marx and Lenin for a few seats".

The TMC was contesting from 12 seats in the district.