INTUC throws its weight behind beleaguered Bhunia

The internal strife in the West Bengal Congress has once again come out in the open, after the state unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) – the party’s trade union wing – made a scathing attack on West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) leaders. 

The INTUC president also supported Manas Bhunia for his decision to not step down from the post of the chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC). 

The INTUC held a convention at Kala Mandir on Monday afternoon. Ramen Pandey, president of the state unit said that INTUC leaders would go to Delhi to explain All India Congress Committee (AICC) members about the real picture in WBPCC. He said that some leaders with vested interests were trying to punish Bhunia to fulfil their own interests.

“It is unfortunate that some leaders believe that they are more powerful than the party. This is wrong and disciplinary action should be taken against them,” Pandey added.

The WBPCC had issued a show-cause notice to Bhunia, asking him to give a reply within a week. The party had filed disciplinary charges against Bhunia. Bhunia said that he was never told by Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan that the Congress wanted CPI(M) leaders Sujan Chakraborty to become the PAC chairman.

“If this was communicated to me earlier, then I would have kept myself away from it. My name was sent to the Speaker, and as I represent the principal Opposition party, I was made the chairman of PAC,” Bhunia had said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the joining of 12 Congress and Left Front councillors of Jangipur Municipality to Trinamool Congress, which has helped the party establish its control over the civic body, state CPI(M) secretary Surya Kanta Misra said, “Goats and chickens are sold in the 

market,” while adding that those who have joined TMC are not genuine workers of the Left parties.

Political experts have said that as both Congress and CPI(M) leaders have failed to communicate with the rank and file and are busy settling scores with their rival groups, more workers from both the parties are likely to join TMC in the near future.