For BJP it's an appeasement move;For Cong it's a realignment

Kolkata, Sep 6 (UNI) As Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee declared that she was at arms length with the NDA, the BJP saw in it an appeasement move, while the Congress hoped for political realignment.

" What Ms Banerjee has said is an attempt to appease the people of the minority community...she must know that no single party in West Bengal has the strength to oust the CPI(M) which only an alliance can do, " BJP state Secretary Rahul Sinha said.

Mr Sinha alleged that the 'frickleness' that Ms Banerjee had been showing in maintaining ties with the BJP-led NDA was only strengthening the hands of the CPI(M).

" We shall make our views more clear only after Ms Banerjee announces her decision at a press conference to sever ties with the NDA, " he said.

Observing that the alliance Ms Banerjee had been maintaining was the stumbling block to any Congress-Trinamool Congress unity, Pradesh Congress Committee Working President Pradip Bhattacharjee said her today's remarks brightened the possibility of future relationship between the two parties.

" We have had a serious problem in aligning with the Trinamool Congress because of its ties with the BJP. But if Ms Banerjee really comes out of the NDA, possibility will open up for a discussion on unity, " he said.

However, condemning Ms Banerjee's statement, CPI(M) State Committee member Rabin Deb said the Trinamool leader was making a desperate attempt to woo minority votes in the coming Panchayat election.

" What she has said is aimed at getting votes...it is condemnable that she has used a minority forum for campaigning for votes, " he said.

UNI