UPA trying to divide West Bengal: LF

Kolkata, Jul 28 (UNI) Left Front (LF) chairman Biman Basu today accused the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and an ''MP of a neighbouring state'' of trying to divide West Bengal.

''We strongly condemn the demand of a neighbouring state's MP to include three districts of West Bengal in Jharkhand and the shifting of the Coal India Ltd and DVC head offices to that state. An understanding has been forged between the UPA and the neighbouring state's MP to divide Bengal,'' Mr Basu told newspersons after the LF meeting here.

''The Centre is conspiring with the MP to divide West Bengal. But our state, with its 19 districts, would remain intact. I urge the people of this state to protest the demand in a peaceful manner,'' he said.

Commenting on the political turmoil in the hills, he termed the Darjeeling situation as ''critical''.

''The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) has lost its strength in Darjeeling but a section of people in the hills are now suffering as their only means of livelihood has been affected following the frequent bandhs and agitations by the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM),'' he stated.

The LF condemned the recent serial blasts in Bengalore and Ahmedabad and urged the Centre to investigate into the incidents and arrest those responsible, he said.

''Our campaign against the Nuke deal and price hike will continue in all the districts and the district committees will organise mass rallies and meetings from August 11 to 19,'' he added.

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