CPI(M) to raise funds for flood-affected on Oct 8

Kolkata, Oct 5 (UNI) In a political manoeuvre against the October 9 Trinamool Congress-sponsored bandh call, the CPI(M) today directed its members to hit the streets to raise funds for the flood-affected people in West Bengal.

''We have asked our partymen to raise funds for relief of the flood-hit people on October 8 and 9,'' party's state committee Secretary Biman Basu said.

Describing Ms Mamata Banerjee's call for a 12-hour statewide bandh as ''politically motivated,'' Mr Basu alleged that the move was aimed at satisfying the ego of the Trinamool leader, while ''ours is in the interest of the state and its people.'' ''This bandh is against the interest of the state and the ongoing move for industrialisation. It is aimed at crippling the state's economy,'' he said.

The Trinamool Congress has given the bandh call in protest against acquisition of agricultural land at Singur in Hooghly district for setting up of the proposed small car factory of the Tatas.

Earlier, the ruling Left Front had urged Ms Banerjee to withdraw the bandh call to facilitate movement of relief materials, but the Trinamool supremo refused.

The Trinamool had also declared that party workers would take to the streets to ensure the bandh's success.

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