People's Democracy

Lies Exposed,

By Mamata Herself

From Our Special

Correspondent in Kolkata

ANOTHER big somersault! TMC leader and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, well known for her changing stances, has this time done a complete head-over-heels.

After having blamed the CPI(M) for the Jnaneswari Express sabotage last year, Mamata Banerjee did a complete turnaround by holding the ‘Maoists’ responsible for the accident. "You all know that the ‘Maoists’ perpetrated the Jnaneswari sabotage which killed over 160 people, this fact has now been proved by the investigations," said Banerjee addressing a rally in Kolkata recently. Following the accident on May 28, 2010, Banarjee, who was then railways minister, had pointed her fingers at the CPI(M) claiming its party cadres were "scientifically sabotaging the railways" and demanded a CBI investigation into the matter. It was one of the nastiest campaign unleashed against the CPI(M) just on the eve of Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections. TMC-backed members of so called ‘civil society’ even addressed a press conference just before the elections and blamed CPI(M) for that dastardly act. As railway minister Mamata Banerjee demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident just when the state CID was zeroing on the culprits. CBI enquiry was ordered and within days they also arrested ‘Maoists’ and members of Peoples’ Committee backed by them. They have been charge sheeted. One of the key figures, Umakanto Mahato was killed by joint forces in an encounter. Another prime accused, Asit Mahato, who also happened to be the secretary of Peoples’ Committee was arrested recently. Details of the attack were tracked down by the intelligence forces.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) report submitted in the case before the court, prima facie, pointed out ‘Maoists' involvement," Mamata Banerjee said on November 16. It was not only an indirect admission that she misled the people at that time; it also showed that how blind was the anti-Left tirade in the state.

CPI(M) state secretary Biman Basu demanded that the chief minister should frankly admit that she did a wrong thing at that time. Leader of opposition and CPI-M leader Suryakant Mishra demanded a public apology from Mamata. "Finally she has been forced to admit that the ‘Maoists’ were involved. She has been forced because the investigation reports points to their involvement in the incident which she cannot deny. If she comes out with an apology that would mean she has realised her mistake. But she is yet to apologise," said Mishra.

Thirteen coaches of the Mumbai-bound train jumped the tracks between Khemasuli and Sardiha stations in West Midnapore district, shortly after which a goods train rammed into the derailed coaches, leading to the deaths.

This ‘admission’ from the chief minister has come after her bonhomie with ‘Maoists’ has begun to suffer serious strain. ‘Maoists’ have already killed some TMC leaders and their family members in Purulia and West Midnapore districts. This has enraged the chief minister who has declared to take the war into the ‘Maoist’ dens. On the other hand, ‘Maoists’ have accused that TMC has backed out from promises after coming to power and armed TMC gangs were perpetrating atrocities against the villagers in the jangal mahal area.