‘Arrogance effected Left Front fall’

The apprehensions of a fiery Left Front meeting were already there. But the fire turned into an inferno when most non-CPI(M) allies grilled the CPI(M) for the disastrous poll outcome in West Bengal.

The allies’ event went on to the extent of snubbing the state government and the CPI(M) with allegations that rampant corruption in the government and “power of arrogance” among a section of Left Front leaders prompted people to withdraw their support. The attacks were mainly directed against chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Left Front chairman Biman Bose.

According to Left Front sources, the most vocal among them was CPI leader and state water resources development minister Nandagopal Bhattacharjee who said the corruption and arrogance among a section of minister and Left Front leaders brought about the fall of the Red fort.

“They do not even give respect to people. People had been watching this for a long time. There was an additional fear over land acquisition. This is definitely the major reason for this disaster,” Bhattacharjee said at the meeting here on Thursday.

According to him, the fear over land acquisition was the most among minorities, because of which the Front’s vote bank was eroded.

According to sources, RSP leader and state PWD minister Kshiti Goswami criticised the state government for over-dependence on bureaucracy and police in implementing his industrial and land-acquisition policies.

At the end of the meeting, Left Front chairman Biman Bose said there were certain development works of the state government which could not be completed on time.