Congress defends WB unit's protest against Mamata govt

Amid growing tension in ties with Trinamool, Congress on Wednesday defended the protests by its West Bengal unit against a move to rename Indira Bhavan in Kolkata, saying the manner in which it was done by Mamata Banerjee government was not proper.

"The manner in which the name of a place associated with a revered personality is changed ... is not proper," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters as the state Congress on Wednesday organised a sit-in demonstration in Kolkata protesting against the alleged move to rename Indira Bhavan in Delhi after Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

"Kazi Nazrul Islam is a respected figure, but changing the name of a building already named after a well-known personality hurts public sentiments," Alvi said.

The AICC had on Tuesday reminded Mamata that at one point of time Indira Gandhi was her leader as well.

"A lot of public sentiments are attached with Indira Gandhi, who was not only the prime minister but was respected all over the world. People feel hurt because of such things. They are protesting because of the sentiments of the people...," Alvi said.

Asked whether the Congress was "needling" Mamata in view of her party's opposition to certain clauses in the Lokpal bill, he said, "There have been no strains in ties with Mamata. Whatever differences.... are sorted out".