Defying party stand, Bengal Marxist MLA joins Congress rally

Kolkata, June 25 (IANS) Going against the party stand, CPI-M legislator Tanmoy Bhattacharya on Saturday participated in a rally against price rise called by the Congress here.

Called against price rise and "attacks on the democracy under the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress regime", the Congress had invited the Communist Party of India-Marxist to participate in the rally.

But following a rap on the knuckles over its decision to tie up with the Congress for the West Bengal assembly polls, the state CPI-M decided against participating in the rally.

The Central Committee - the highest decision-making body of the CPI-M - in a statement had said "electoral tactics adopted in Bengal was not in consonance with the Central Committee decision not to have an alliance or understanding with the Congress".

Bhattacharya, however, sought to justify his participation asserting he couldn't defy the people's mandate.

"Two months back we had gone to the people saying we have formed an alliance urging them to give a chance to the alliance. Over two crore people had supported our call. I cannot disrespect the people's mandate," he said.

"The people's mandate has said we (CPI-M, Congress) must fight together inside and outside the assembly. This rally is against price rise, for which the Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee governments are responsible," said Bhattacharya.

Notwithstanding the speculations over the future of the tie-up, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury appeared confident.

"The future of the tie-up is bright. Formed at the grassroots, this tie up is a result of the wishes of Congress and Marxist workers and will continue at their desire.

"It's the people who have forged this arrangement and not the leaders. So this tie-up will not break on the leaders are saying," said Chowdhury asserting their fight against the Trinamool will continue.

Claiming Bhattacharya participated in the rally in a personal capacity, CPI-M legislative party leader Sujon Chakraborty said he will take up the matter with Bhattacharya.