Mamata sets her eye on CPM strongholds

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Encouraged by Union home minister P. Chidambaram’s acknowledgement of existence of CPI(M) camps in some parts of the state, Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has decided to take her battle to some of the major political flash points like Keshpur and Lalgarh.
In a bid to make inroads in areas which have been CPI(M) stronghold where her party has not been able to spread its support base, her party is launching a month-long movement to counter what she described as CPI(M) atrocities.
Announcing a string of programmes beginning September 6, she reiterated that the Assembly elections were not far.
“People have tasted democracy in the panchayat, Lok Sabha and civic polls. It is our magnanimity that we are not seeking imposition of Article 356 although the government is violating the Constitution which is a grave crime,” she added.
Ahead of the crucial Assembly polls, Ms Banerjee is determined to keep the heat on the CPI(M). She will draw upon her successful movements in Singur, Nandigram and Lalgarh. “People have decided to remove the CPI(M) from power,” she claimed.
Significantly, her campaign for the “restoration of democracy” in the state, starts on the day Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally in the city. Her movement will begin with “March to Keshpur”. “Our party MPs Shubhendu Adhikary and Mukul Roy will be in charge of organising the rally which will start at around 12 pm,” announced Ms Banerjee. She was speaking after her party’s core-committee meeting at the Trinamul Bhavan.
On September 25, the Trinamul Congress chief has given a call for Singur Cholo. Incidentally, Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to address party workers at Netaji Indoor Stadium on that day. Ms Banerjee chose to maintain a discreet silence on the timing of these two major political movements.
Sources, however, said that the Trinamul Congress chief has not exactly been thrilled by the “sudden upsurge” in the Congress activities in the state. “By organising two important programmes on the same days when Mr Gandhi and Mrs Gandhi will be in Kolkata, Didi wants to show them her strength,” a Trinamul Congress MP said.