The Maoists on Thursday announced that they would not allow the CPI(M) and the Congress to campaign in Jangalmahal but Trinamul Congress was free to seek vote. In a two-page press statement issued by CPI (Maoist) leader of Purulia Bikram, the Maoists have again given a call for vote boycott, describing the Assembly elections as a farce. “Our stand is clear: first revolution and then election,” the press release said.
Bikram has identified the Congress as “country’s enemy number one” and CPI(M) as “state’s enemy number one.” Ms Banerjee, however, distanced herself from the Maoists and said that they were CPI(M)’s friends. “For three years, the Maoists did not allow our supporters to hold our flags in the Jangalmahal. “If they supported us then why Chhatradhar Mahato is contesting against our candidate?” she asked.
Reiterating the known Maoist position, the press release said that the elections merely forced the oppressed people to elect their own oppressors. “Root out the CPI(M) and the Congress which have unleashed state-sponsored terrorism in the name of Operation Greenhunt. They are responsible for price rise, poverty and unemployment. We appeal to the people of Jangalmahal and West Bengal to boycott the polls,” it added.