Cong MLA thanks Deb

TT, Jalpaiguri, Oct. 25: Congress MLA Joseph Munda's name has appeared on a hoarding thanking Gautam Deb for work done by the Trinamul minister's north Bengal development department.

The three projects mentioned by Joseph Munda, the Nagrakata MLA, are far from complete - the tendering process has started. Trinamul leaders said they were embarrassed that Munda had decided to thank Deb so publicly when work was yet to start on the projects. Munda, though, was unfazed.

The hoarding, put up in Metelli, which is in Nagrakata, read: " Mananiya Uttar Banga Unnayan mantri, Shri Gautam Deb mahashay ke Metelli High School er shimana prachir, auditorium ebong stadium nirmaan korey dewar jonno ashesh dhonyobad janai (many thanks to north Bengal development minister Shri Gautam Deb for making the boundary wall, auditorium and stadium for Metelli High School)."

At the bottom of the hoarding was the name of Munda who, Trinamul sources said, was keen to switch to the ruling party.

When asked why he had put up the hoarding thanking Deb when no work had been done, Munda said: "I have spoken to the north Bengal development minister and engineers of his department. I have learnt that estimates of all the three projects have been done and tender process has started. That is why I put up the hoarding and thanked the minister for his efforts."

Some Trinamul leaders seemed embarrassed. Pintu Khan, the Metelli block Trinamul president, said: "How can he put up such hoardings when no work has started? It is an irresponsible act by the MLA.... If the projects would have finished, we would have felicitated both the minister and MLA. His act has made him a laughing stock and it will also affect the image of our government and party."

A senior Trinamul leader based in Malbazar subdivision said Munda's attitude was part of his strategy to join Trinamul and secure the ticket for Nagrakata in the coming Assembly election.

"If a Congress MLA, about whom there are speculations that he would switch to Trinamul, does this, it is evident he is preparing his ground to get close to senior leaders," the Trinamul leader said.