Many Naxalites have joined us, says Mamata

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that many Naxalites have joined her party.

New Delhi: Welcoming the return of a
section of Naxalites to main stream politics, Trinamool
Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the role reversal
would strengthen the democratic system in the country.

"A section of Naxalites in West Bengal has shunned
violence and joined main stream politics by reposing their
faith in democracy. This is a good sign for strengthening the
democracy in the country," the Railway Minister told a news agency.

Admitting that many former Naxalites are with the
Trinamool Congress, She said they have worked with us whole
heartedly during the last Lok Sabha elections.

People like Purnendu Bose, Dola Sen, Pradeep Banerjee
and many more former Naxalites are very much with us and we
welcome their return to democratic politics, she said.

Asked since when these Naxalites are with Trinamool
Congress, she said, "it all started during the Singur
agitation. They came forward and supported us."

Seeking to differentiate between Naxalites and Maoists,
Banerjee said, "Naxalites are not Maoists. So do not confuse
them with Maoists."

On CPI(M) allegation that she is getting support from
Maoists, she said, "it is the otherway around. Everybody knows
who supported the Maoist movement in Nepal."

On the by-election results, she said, "it is people`s
mandate. People voted them (CPI-M) out and I have no role."

Ruling out any possibility of merging with Congress,
she said we will have an well-knit alliance with the party (in
the 2011 West Bengal Assembly polls)."

Bureau Report

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