GREATER COOCHBEHAR

GCDP bid to bail out its candidate from jail

COOCH BEHAR, March 15: Though their proposed candidate, Mr Bangshi Badan Barman is still behind the bars, the Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party (GCDP) began its campaign in favour of his candidature in different areas in Cooch Behar district. At the same time the GCDP is trying to strengthen its organisation in rural areas.

The president of the GCDP, Mr Ashutosh Barma, came to Cooch Behar today. He met their counsel Mr Shibendra Nath Roy to find out ways and means to bail out the leader of the 'Greater Cooch Behar' movement Mr Bangshi Badan Barman from the jail. They want Mr Barman's presence during the poll campaign because it may yield a good result, they believe. Mr Roy assured him that he would do his best to bail out his client.

The GCDP president said, "The great leader of Greater Cooch Behar movement, Mr Barman is in the jail for about three years since his surrender to the court on 25 May 2006. Now, he is eligible to get released on bail." At the first phase they would knock the doors of the High Court to bail out Mr Barman. If failed, they would proceed to the Supreme Court, Mr Barma said. This decision was adopted at the central committee meeting of the party that was held yesterday, he said.

Meanwhile, an effort started to unite the GCDP and The Greater Cooch Behar People's Association (GCPA). Presently the two organisations reportedly reached to at an understanding to support Mr Bangshi Badan Barman in the Lok Sabha election. Terming the move a pre-poll adjustment, the GCDP president said the lower level workers of the two organisations were trying to get united. He however admitted that they might proceed further after the election to restore the united organisation. As the aims and objectives of both the organisations are similar it may not be hard to be united. The only difference between them is that the GCDP adopted the path of Parliamentary politics while the GCPA has no faith in election. This difference may be sorted out during talks and the process has already started, Mr Barma added.

Trinamul protest

COOCH BEHAR, March 15: Protesting attack on a party activist and demanding arrest of offenders, Trinamul Congress supporters staged a roadblock from this morning till 12-noon. District Trinamul Congress vice-president Mr Niranjan Dutta alleged that CPI-M goons attacked Mr Ashis Chaudhury of Guriahati-II village who was shifted to hospital. An FIR was lodged but no one was arrested so far, Mr Dutta alleged.