Trinamool should weed out unscrupulous elements: Congress

Kolkata, (IANS) -West Bengal Congress president Manas Bhuniya Sunday asked alliance partner All India Trinamool Congress to weed out unscrupulous elements from the party.

He also expressed concern over an attack on Congress supporters by alleged Trinamool workers in East Midnapore district's Khejuri.

A Congress team comprising Bhuniya and general secretary of All India Youth Congress (AIYC) Usha Naidu was allegedly attacked on its way back from Khejuri after a meeting Saturday evening.

The Congress leaders alleged that a few Trinamool supporters also hurled bricks at them.

On July 12 also, Congress leaders and workers were stopped near Khejuri and beaten up by alleged Trinamool activists.

"The incident at Khejuri is simply unwarranted. We are deeply pained. Unscrupulous elements have entered and I would request Trinamool leadership to look into the matter," said Bhuniya.

"We will not tolerate one party rule in Khejuri. A desperate attempt is being made to create one party rule in Khejuri. There are no red flags in that area now. I saw only the tricolour. Then who is responsible for all these?" Bhuniya asked.

Bhuniya's comments come only four days after Congress leaders shared the dais with Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata at a Martyrs' Day rally organised by her party and called for consolidating the two party's alliance
to oust the state's ruling Left Front from power.

"I feel sad to see such acts of indiscipline," said Bhuniya.

However, Bhuniya described the incident as "too small" to affect his party's alliance with the Trinamool.

"The alliance between the Congress and the Trinamool is like the Pacific Ocean. These small incidents would not affect our alliance. We will jointly fight against the Left Front," he said.

When Banerjee was asked to comment on Bhuniya's remarks, she shot back: "I will comment about my party only. I will not comment on some other party."