''Harmad'' right word to describe CPI(M) cadre, Mamata Banerjee says

With CPI(M) protesting against the use of 'harmad' to describe its cadre, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today said that home minister P Chidambaram had used the correct word.

"Chidambaram is correct. Those who carry guns and bombs should be called harmad. What else will he say to describe CPI(M) cadre?" Banerjee said on the home minister's letter to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on law and order in West Bengal.

On Bhattacharjee's annoyance with the word, she said, "CPI(M) is angry with the use of the word harmad. This is the right word to describe them."

She alleged that police were not maintaining records of seized arms and passing them to CPI(M) cadre.

Addressing a rally of state government employees here in South 24 Parganas, she alleged that the ruling Left Front had started contractual service from the state secretariat down to all levels.

"Before the assembly polls, CPI(M) leaders are saying that the contract workers will be made permanent employees. The West Bengal government cannot pay salaries of its employees if the Centre does not give grants," she said.