Congress attacks Left government over Nandigram

New Delhi, Nov 12: The Congress today launched the strongest-ever attack on the Left Front government in West Bengal over the Nandigram issue, saying that no abdication of statutory duty or state responsibility could be countenanced in a democracy governed by rule of law.

Deploring "the political culture that empowers party cadres over the law enforcement machinery or the rights of the common man," the party demanded immediate healing touch for the common man.

This was for the second day that the party had come out strongly against the Marxist-led Buddhadeb Bhattacharya government.

AICC General Secretary Mohsina Kidwai yesterday lambasted the government over Nandigram.

"The primary and fundamental responsibility of any state administration is to do and to be seen to be doing its utmost to maintain law and order," AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons, while expressing "gravest concern" over the recent events at Nandigram.

He said it was evident that issues of safety, security and governance for the ordinary man had been jeopardised. "The Congress deplores, with all the strength at its command, the culture of violence which has been spawned in and around Nandigram." Saying that the Centre had provided the CRPF and other forces, Dr Singhvi said the state government had to ensure that they were allowed to discharge their duties fully and comprehensively.

He said the human aspect of the problem could not be ignored or underemphasised.

Asked if the party favoured invocation of Article 356 of the Constitution against the West Bengal government on the ground of breakdown of law and order, Dr Singhvi said "this is not a remedy for all ills." In this context, he said "we are still hopeful that the state government will take note of the situation and act to improve the situation." Asked if the AICC would send a fact-finding delegation to Nandigram, he said the party had its own cadres there and getting feedback from them.

On if the Centre was scared to act against the Marxist-led government in West Bengal in view of the Left support to its government, Dr Singhvi said: We don't hesitate to make our stand clear. We want the state government to provide human healing touch."

UNI