Opposition sees ‘comeback chance’ in Bhangar

Kolkata: The Congress party and CPI(M) are desperately trying to exploit the Bhangar incident to settle political scores with the Mamata Banerjee government.

In the past five days, since the South 24 Parganas block was rocked by violent agitation by villagers protesting the setting up of a power grid, leaders of the two Opposition parties have visited Bhangar on several occasions.

Left Front legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty, leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan and state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury have visited Bhangar.

Congress held a “peace rally” from Machhibhanga to Shyamnagar. Mr Chowdhury demanded a CBI inquiry. “We will approach the court and seek a CBI inquiry monitored by the court to unearth the truth behind the Bhangar mayhem. Two innocent villagers were killed by gunshots and the government is insisting that there was no police firing,” Mr Chowdhury said.

While the opposition leaders have no problem in visiting villages in Khamarait, Paddupukur, Natunhat Bazar, Gazipur, Shyamnagar and Polerhat, their entry has been barred by angry villagers.

As soon as reports of turbulence reached Nabanna on January 17, the CM had sent MLA Abdur Rezzak Mollah and MP Mukul Roy to the area. The angry people however made it clear that they will not be welcomed. They want the CM to visit Bhangar and personally announce that the contentious power grid would be relocated.

The Congress president questioned why the CM could not find time to visit Bhangar even once when she used to rush to Singur and Nandigram innumerable times. Both Congress and CPI(M) see in Bhangar a potential to become another Singur and Nandigram.