Mamata to announce new alliance on December 30

Midnapur, Dec 20 (UNI) Trinamol Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today said she would formally announce the launch of a new secular, democratic and progressive alliance on December 30 to fight the CPI(M) in the state.

Talking to newsmen here after addressing a public meeting, Ms Banerjee said party leaders had talks with pro-Left organisations, which had expressed their desire to join the proposed alliance.

The common minimum agenda had already been decided, she added.

The new alliance would be launched on December 30, Ms Banerjee said.

Asked as to whether the Forward Bloc and the RSP would join this front, she said, '' Wait and see. '' Dwelling on the ''misdeeds'' of CPI (M) leaders Tapan Ghosh and Sukur Ali, presently lodged in Central jail here being the prime accused in Chotto Angaria case, she warned the West Midnapur district administration and police against being partisan.

'' Remember that Kolkata Police Commissioner Prasun Mukharjee was not even spared in the Rijwanur case. If you take any biased stand, people will not forgive you either. Why you do not wear the logo of the CPI(M) instead of the sacred Ashoka Chakra, '' She ridiculed.

Referring to the ''doubled standard'' of the CPI (M) with regard to the Maoists, she said Mr Sitaram Yechuri himself went to Nepal as the Government emissary and had meaningful dialogue with the Maoists there, adding the CPI(M) blew hot and cold in the same breath.

Asked as to whether the CPI (ML) factions would join her proposed alliance, she said anybody having faith in parliamentary democracy would be welcome.

Ms Banerjee also announced that she would address a rally at Bhutarmore in Nandigram on January three.

UNI