National   

PSD Front is the real alternative, says Mamata

KOLKATA: The Progressive Secular Democratic (PSD) Front, recently launched by Mamata Banerjee, “is the real alternative to the ruling Left Front” that will facilitate “the struggle for democratic rights” and which “will have to be strengthened” to stand up to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress Chief said here on Tuesday.

“All those forces and parties that believe in democracy, progress and secularism and who want to fight the CPI (M) are welcome to join the Front,” Ms. Banerjee said after a meeting with leaders of the 17 constituents of the new political grouping.

She, however, indicated that the Front would not include the Congress that is enjoying the support of the Left parties at the Centre. “Our stand is very clear; we are with the Opposition,” she said, hinting that her party will remain with the NDA.

The Trinamool Congress is the only constituent of this anti-CPI (M) Front that has a representation in the Assembly.

Even though Ms. Banerjee had earlier appealed to some of the Left parties within the ruling Left Front to join the new alliance she refrained from naming any of the parties the PSD Front might be hoping to rope in within its fold. She announced a “mass convention” to be organised by the Front in the first week of February where the theme will be “save democracy.”

The immediate focus of the Front is the panchayat elections due to be held in the State mid-next year. Its representatives will be calling on the Governor and the Panchayat Secretary to ensure that untoward incidents do not happen.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mayawati raises pitch on SPG cover
Madonna visits Mumbai slums
Rizwanur case hearing on Friday
PSD Front is the real alternative, says Mamata
Kalpakkam FBR to go critical by 2010
Death sentence for three
Pat for women achievers
Passport copy of Pakistani found
We owe it to India, says Ramgoolam
Man shot dead in gang war in Patna
Militants tonsure women for selling tobacco
Less than 50 per cent Assamese speakers in Assam
60 Air India passengers offloaded

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu