Cong leaders urged not to shake Cong-TC poll alliance

The statement said in the wake of "the congenial atmosphere as emerged due to the pro-alliance stand taken byPranab Mukherjee, the Congress High Command has further beenstrengthened by the genuine gesture shown yesterday byBanerjee".

The leaders said, "We appeal to all concerned to workfor further consolidation of the alliance at all levels andnot to indulge in any activity which may prove detrimental tothe interest of the people of West Bengal."

The statement is apparently aimed at Mamata Banerjee''sdetractors who claimed that Congress had sacrificed a lot inseat-sharing in 2009 Lok Sabha election when Congress foughtfor only 14 seats, while Trinamool Congress contested in 25constituencies and left one to its ally SUCI.

The message assumes significance in view of yesterday''sstatement of Congress MP Deepa Dasmunshi, wife of ailingformer union minister P R Dasmunshi, that it was because ofCongress efforts and sacrifice, Trinamool Congress had won 19Lok Saba seats.

Deepa Dasmunshi had said any alliance with the Trinamoolshould not be at the expense of the Congress.

The state Congress Vice-president, Debababrata Basusaid PCC chief Manas Bhuniya had lobbied with the High Commandwith the appeal that party should contest more than ninety(one-third) of the 294 assembly seats and no sittinglegislator be sacrificed.

In the outgoing assembly, Congress has 19 legislatorsand Trinamool 36.

Bhuniya, now in his assembly constituency at Sabangin West Midnapur district, is not available for comment. PTIPKC PR