"Maoists are dissident CPI(M) workers, " Mamata

Kolkata, Dec 15 (UNI) Launching a scathing counter allegation, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today claimed the Maoists were none other than dissident CPI(M) workers. '' Talking to newsmen here, she questioned if the Left Front Government was so sincere, why it was not banning the Maoist orgnisations.

'' We have come to know that the government is going to promulgate Prohibitory orders under Section 144 CR PC tomorrow in several office areas, mainly Brabourne road, Dalhousie East, Old Court House Street, Rani Rashmoni Road and Khudiram Bose Sarani, because Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led Left Front government has no self- confidence, '' Ms Banerjee said.

'' The Maoists are the wings of the Left forces and the dissident organisation of the CPI(M). We feel infighting is going on among them. If the government is so sincere, why it is not banning them, '' she asked.

She alleged that police had been arresting common people and obstructing the media movement and putting restriction on 16 main thoroughfares on the pretext of the Maoists.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury had gone to Nepal for advocating the cause of the Maoists while it was opposing them here, she alleged that the CPI(M) was maintaining ''double standard''.

Casting aspersion on the government for promulgating Prohibitory orders, she alleged that the government was issuing the order in the name of security purposes, but it was actually aimed at curbing the people's democratic rights.

She said, '' We have instructed Opposition leader in the Assembly Partho Chatterjee to raise the issue in the House and meet Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi in this regard. We are condemning the government decision and appealing to the people in general to be united and protest it. '' UNI