Nandigram : Kshiti predicts poor result in panchayat poll

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 21: The Nandigram issue may affect the result of the ensuing three-tier panchayat elections if voters can exercise their franchise without any fear. If they are allowed to cast their votes on their free will it will surely affect the result, believes senior RSP leader and state public works department minister Mr Kshiti Goswami. He came to Cooch Behar today to attend some party programmes.

 

When asked about the probable influence of Nandigram issue on the panchayat polls Mr Goswami predicted that he has no doubt about the influence that may be exerted on the polling pattern. He said, "On earlier occasions too we observed occurrence of clashes during the rural polls. Incidents of death also happened. We do not want clashes between supporters of Left Front constituent parties. One cannot welcome such incidents." If such things come up that should be unfortunate for us, and also for all, he added.

 

Mr Goswami mentioned that there are many factors that affect the voting pattern and result. The party in power uses money power, muscle power, administrative power, misuse of police force and other things freely. It will be unfortunate if these are used against Left Front partners like RSP, he said.

 

Commenting on the recent initiative of formation of volunteer force by the CPI-M, the senior RSP leader said such plan can never be able to iron out all problems. The clubmen may be able to suppress the voice of common people by club-law for a certain period, not forever. It can yield temporary success only. Hitler and Stalin too experienced it. The oppressed people have the right to say the last word. The CPI-M is also trying to retain the power that it is enjoining for a long by forming the force of clubmen in the name of volunteers, he observed.

 

The senior RSP leader said he has no idea when peace restore at Nandigram. The state government got about ten months but failed to restore normalcy. Thousands of people are still suffering there. The women are the worst sufferers. At last the CPI-M state secretary, Mr Biman Bose admitted that their cadres exercised tit-for-tat policy to recapture Nandigram. The Prime Minister too said about bringing back confidence among people but "I don't know when this will happen", Mr Goswami said. Criticising the role of Congress he said they failed to follow the ideals of Gandhiji and Nehru. In the AICC session too they said little about the violence in Nandigram, the RSP leader said. []

 

RSP to discuss Kshiti's decision on 29-th

 

COOCH BEHAR, Nov. 21: The state PWD minister and also a senior RSP leader said that his decisions to stay off the Writers' Building and not use government vehicles were his own. "I had informed our party leadership about my decision and it was discussed in the secretariat meeting". Another meeting is convened on 29 November to discuss the issue, he said. At the same time he mentioned that one has to obey party's decision though there may be differences over ideals. "I will have to abide by the party's decision if I want to stay in the party". He said he is yet not ready to change his decision about going to Writers' Building and using of government vehicles. But the security men are still following him everywhere without asking for his consent, he said. []