'CPI(M)-Congress alliance to stay in West Bengal'

Kolkata, July 22: CPI(M) Politburo member and West Bengal state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra today said the alliance with Congress will "stay" and party will continue to hold programmes and rallies with the poll ally in the state.

"We will continue our joint (with Congress) programmes and agitations. The alliance is here to stay," Mishra told reporters after holding first round of meetings with party functionaries in the district after the Assembly elections.

Terming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's diatribes against the Centre as mere public posturing, he alleged, "She speaks about a tough stand against the central government, but goes for an understanding behind the curtains with the BJP brass to escape from the clutches of the CBI."

On CPI(M)'s Gazole MLA Dipali Biswas deciding to join the TMC today, Mishra said the MLA has to resign first from her Assembly membership.

"What will happen after her resignation is a different question, but why is the Trinamool Congress supremo (Banerjee) so worried even after bagging 211 seats in the elections? Why is she so greedy that she keeps on poaching on rival party members?" Mishra said.

PTI