Mamata government is fascist, stifling dissent: Congress

The Congress on Thursday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government of not allowing political parties other than the ruling Trinamool Congress to function in the state and described it as "fascist".

"The state government has turned fascist and is not ready to tolerate any political party except the Trinamool Congress," state Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya said here.

Bhattacharya said the government was trying to stifle the voice of the opposition.

"Rallies and demonstration can only be allowed if we praise Mamata Banerjee. If the Congress wants to say anything else, then its voice will be suppressed," Bhattacharya said.

Addressing a rally here, he accused the government of vitiating the industrial environment of the state which has resulted in companies exiting the state, causing loss of 70,000 jobs ever since the Trinamool came to power.

"The Congress does not want any retrenchment of workers and we will strive to protect the rights of workers and work for the rehabilitation of those who have lost their jobs," added Bhattacharya.