The workers of the CPI(M) and the BJP are coming together in Purba Medinipur, Malda and Nadia districts of West Bengal to form gram panchayat boards.
The CPI(M) leadership admitted that it was not possible for them to “control the actions” of party workers at the village level. However, they made it clear that the CPI(M)’s stand was to neither support the BJP nor the TMC.
In Talga Chaari gram panchayat in Purba Medinipur’s Ramnagar block and Srirampur gram panchayat in Tamluk block, one elected gram panchayat member of the CPI(M) and five Independent candidates supported by the party have supported the BJP to form gram panchayat boards.
‘Sever all ties’
Confirming the development, CPI(M) district secretary in Purba Medinipur Niranjan Sihi told The Hindu: “We will expel the party members concerned and will sever all ties with the Independent candidates who supported the BJP.”
At two gram panchayats in Nadia — Chanderghat gram panchayat of Tehatta I block and Paulsunda gram panchayat of Tehatta II block — two CPI(M) candidates and some Independents supported by the party have joined forces with the BJP to form the gram panchayat boards.
“We will expel the party members who supported the BJP. As for the Independent candidates supported by us, we cannot take any responsibility as it is not always possible for us to control their actions,” said Sumit Dey, CPI(M) district secretary in Nadia.
In Malda, the CPI(M) candidates have supported the BJP in the Dhumpur gram panchayat in the district’s Habibpur block. However, the CPI(M) district leadership is yet to find out how many among the three party candidates there have supported the BJP.
“The CPI-M will oppose both the BJP and the TMC. Any violation of the party’s official stand in this regard will be firmly dealt with and stern action will be taken,” CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.
‘No hesitation’
However, BJP's State president Dilip Ghosh made it clear that they will “not hesitate” in taking 'the CPI(M) candidates’ support to counter the TMC. “Our key aim is to keep TMC out of gram panchayat boards and we will not hesitate in joining forces with any Opposition party including the CPI(M) for the purpose.”