Mamata criticises CPI-M, regional parties for opposing treaty

Siliguri (WB) Jul 19: A day after the historic Darjeeling treaty was signed, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today (Jul 19) lashed out at the CPI-M and regional parties based in north Bengal for opposing the treaty.

"We want to rebuild Bengal. We are for friendly bond between the hills and the plains. When we are at work to achieve this... these parties are up in arms against us and trying to misguide people," she said at a function here.

The Chief Minister said the landmark Darjeeling agreement would go a long way in establishing a link between the hills and the plains of north Bengal.

Banerjee and Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi today flagged off a number of state and railway projects aimed at all-round development of north Bengal among whom there is a mini-secretariat for the region.

"This is in accordance with my pledge for a government of Ma, Mati, Manush which is installed in West Bengal," Banerjee said.

Coming down heavily on the CPI-M for "misguiding and confusing" people on the Darjeeling agreement, the Chief Minister said, "It is amazing that this party, which neglected the hills for 34 years, has been raising a hue and cry over the treaty and also at a time when we are ushering in development in the hills".

Asking the CPI(M) "not to play with fire and not to try to create a division between the plains and the hills," the Chief Minister said, "I am a soft person. But I will not tolerate any move to stall development work. I will not apply force against these parties. I will deal with them by going in for development."

Banerjee also slammed regional outfits Kamtapur People's Party, Amra Bangalee, Greater Coochbehar and others for opposing the Darjeeling agreement.

PTI