Cong leaders not given ‘pride of place’ at Yechury meeting

The double standards of CPI(M) once again came out in the open when no Congress leader was invited to attend the meeting which was addressed by party’s secretary Sitaram Yechury.

The allegation made by the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and some Left Front leaders that the alliance was a “hoax and a farce” came true when party cadres did not allow Congress leaders and workers to go near the dais.

The double standards of the local CPI(M) leaders became crystal clear when they refused to hold a joint rally with Congress which had been doing for the past few days just to give a signal to Yechury that they were obeying the instruction of party’s central committee which had said that all secular and democratic forces would be invited  to form the alliance.

It may be recalled that party’s past secretary Prakash Karat had already asked Yechury to explain why there was hobnobbing between Congress and CPI(M) leaders, particularly Suryakanta Misra, party’s politburo member and some Congress leaders.

Following this, the CPI(M) leaders have become cautious and are not taking Congress leaders on the dais. Misra who held a meeting in Burdwan did not allow Congress leaders to come near the dais.

It was learnt that Prakash Karat and Brinda Karat will come to the state to address rallies but Congress leaders will not be invited. It may be mentioned that WBPCC had invited CPI(M) leaders to share the dais with Rahul Gandhi in Kulti and Bansagopal Chowdhury, party’s former MP was present.

As the days of poll are advancing, the Left leaders have understood that there would not be 100 per cent vote transfers in places where Congress has a base. So they have started distancing themselves from the alliance just to prepare a suitable answer which they will say in case of the poll debacle. 

“What will CPI(M) do? They will blame Congress for the debacle. The CPI(M) is master in blaming others,” said a veteran Congress leader.