Trinamool minister calls CPI(M) snake, mocks Congress

, Jan 25:

(TMC) minister Jyotipriya Mullick on Thursday sparked off a controversy by uttering offensives against rival parties like the CPI(M) and Congress.

Speaking at a rally in Birati in North 24 Parganas, Mullick, the state food and supply minister, lashed out at the CPI(M), comparing it with a snake and asked people to crush it ruthlessly. He said they would have no responsibility if people beat up the CPI(M) supporters, giving an indirect threat to the arch-rivals ahead of the panchayat polls due in a few months.

Mullick, who is known for spitting venom against political opponents, reiterated on Thursday his earlier appeal to people to boycott CPI(M) supporters in everyday life. He also attacked former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, saying 'Brand Buddha' has been banned.

Mullick also attacked Congress leaders like Nirbed Roy and Arunava Ghosh, whom he described as nirbodh and abodh (dumbs) and mocked them for appearing in a local news channel where they crirticised the TMC government.

Ghosh also slammed Mullick in return, saying the supporters suited their leader (Mamata Banerjee). "They are harming their own leader. This is the standard of Mamata's cabinet. Still, I wish him (Mullick) all the best. May he become the deputy CM and CM some day. After that, the post will be abolished." Ghosh, however, said he was not going to lodge any defamation case against Mullick, saying his dignity was not so brittle.

OneIndia News