Mamata Banerjee treats railways as TMC property: CPI(M)

26 Jan, 2011, 02.15AM IST, Tamal Sengupta, ET Bureau

 

KOLKATA: After the Netai massacre , the ruling CPM in West Bengal isn't keen to focus on the terror issue while campaigning for the upcoming assembly elections. Rather, the party plans to run a "propaganda against Mamata Banerjee for virtually turning the railways into her party's property".

 

In a recently published document considered as the party's guideline for running its campaigns, the CPM claims, "Indian Railways has virtually been transformed into a TMC property. The party is engaged in stunts. The minister introduces trains even when there's been no budgetary provision or clearance from the Planning Commission."

The CPM in a 16-page document on Mamata Banerjee and her party says, "Introducing new trains without budgetary allocation and clearance from the Planning Commission will hinder passengers safety. The minister is also not making any effort to fill 2 lakh vacancies in the railways, most of which are connected with the aspects of passengers safety."

It is expected that the CPM leaders will harp on this issue while running their campaign for the ensuing assembly elections. The CPM further says that "attempts are being made to encourage the entry of private agencies in the day to day functioning of the railways. Draconian laws are being used to buy land for the railway projects and the minister has transformed the railways into the property of her party."

The document, which has been recently released by the state CPM leadership, will soon reach the districts and the party leaders across the state will run their campaigns against the Trinamool Congress on the basis of the document.