Mamata calls upon all non-CPI(M) forces to join Trinamool

Kolkata, Jul 21 (UNI) Pledging to defeat the CPI(M) in the coming Lok Sabha election, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today called upon all non-CPI(M) forces to join her in a broad-based movement.

'' We have to defeat the CPI(M) in the Lok Sabha elections. Let all of us join together and fight. To do this we do not have any inhibition, '' she said while addressing a huge rally in the city's Esplanade area.

Fresh after her party's unexpected performance in the recently held three-tier panchayat elections, Ms.Banerjee announced a string of agitational programmes through this year.

She had with her on the dais, her one-time arch rival and former West Bengal Pradesh Congress president Somen Mitra, who recently announced to quit the party and float a new outfit.

'' We want to build a terror-free Bengal and have asked those who have won the Panchayat and Municipal elections on our tickets to sincerely work for the people, '' Ms Banerjee said.

She also reiterated her party's stand on the retail market and land acquisition policy, saying the Trinamool Congress was opposed to the entry of corporate sectors in the retail markets.

Former state Congress president Somen Mitra harped on a strong and secular anti-Left alternative to defeat the CPI(M). The Congress had failed to provide a strong opposition to the Left Front, he stated.

'' Therefore, I have decided to form the new party and fight the elections in coalition with the Trinamool, '' Mr Mitra asserted.

'' I am sure that the CPI(M)-led Left Front will be ousted from power in the state under the leadership of Ms Banerjee in the 2011 Assembly election, '' Mr Mitra said.

The Trinamool Congress has taken a series of agitational programmes, including Singur and Nanur Chalo on August 20 and 27.

Mr Provas Ghosh, state Secretary of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI), a new found ally of the Trinamool Congress, was also present.

UNI KDG/AKM SJC DB2002