CPM office 'capture' slur on TMC supporters

TT, Jalpaiguri: CPM leaders in Nagrakata block of Jalpaiguri have accused Trinamul of "capturing" an office of the Paschimbanga Pradeshik Krishak Sabha - farmers' wing of the Left party - on Sunday night.

Trinamul leaders, however, have claimed that it was their office and there had been no such "capturing."

Ramlal Murmu, a district committee member of CPM, said since 1980, they were running the farmers' wing office in Sulkapara from the same building.

"At around 10pm on Sunday, the caretaker had gone out on some errand, keeping the office open. A group of Trinamul cadres then walked into the office, took possession and threw away our party flags. They then locked the door and left," alleged Dil Kumar Oraon, a local CPM leader.

As the news spread, CPM leaders and supporters reached the office on Monday morning. They broke the lock, held meetings with candidates contesting in the rural polls.

"We left at around 12pm but again, at around 1.30pm, the Trinamul supporters went to the office, broke the lock, and took it under control. They even left their party flag hanging in front of the building," added Oraon.

The office in question is a one-storied building, having four rooms.

They have informed district leaders of the party, who in turn are contacting with the police, local CPM leaders said.

Sources in district CPM said they are looking into the issue. "We will inform police and if those who have illegally taken control of it are not evicted, we will hold a rally to get back our office," a district leader said. Trinamul leaders have denied the allegation.