AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to the state seems to have galvanised the beleaguered Congress with his “self-respect” mantra but it has also triggered some excitement in the demoralised CPI(M) camp. Initially, the CPI(M) satraps were stung by Rahul’s “communism is a failed ideology” barb, but in the wake of
the war of words that has broken out between the Congress and the Trinamul Congress over the “spring cuckoo-bird” metaphor, the ruling party feels that his visit will prove advantageous.
They now see a clear rift between the two Opposition parties.
Alimuddin Street bosses feel that if Mr Gandhi’s visit strengthens the Congress then it will be a bad news for Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, not for the Marxists. “The Trinamul Congress has become strong because the Congress has become weak. If Rahul succeeds in rejuvenating his beleaguered state unit, then it will be at Trinamul’s cost,” a CPI(M) state secretariat member said.
The CPI(M) also claims that Mr Gandhi did not give a clean chit to Ms Banerjee over her party’s nexus with the Maoists.
Reacting to Mr Gandhi’s comment on the issue, CPI(M) state secretariat member Mohammed Salim said: “By using the word ‘exaggeration’, Rahul has upheld our views about the Trinamul-Maoist bond.”