Mamata blames CPI-M, media for Haldia deadlock

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist and a section of media of running a misleading campaign on the deadlock at the Haldia dock.

"We have given full police protection. The CPI-M is running a misleading campaign along with one or two media houses for their self interest," Banerjee told reporters.

Three officials of the cargo handling company Haldia Bulk Terminals were allegedly abducted two days ago by outsiders.

Meanwhile, CPI-M leader Suryakanta Mishra demanded a probe to ascertain how the situation had worsened in the profit-making port.

"We want to know whose interest is being safeguarded in the Haldia docks or if any deal has been reached," Mishra, who is Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, said, claiming that the port's development was due to steps taken by previous Left Front government.

Questioning as to why the chief minister was sticking to her stand that everything was fine at Haldia, he said, "Haldia docks are the lifeline of the region and the state government is responsible for the present state of affairs there."

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President Pradip Bhattacharya demanded restoration of normalcy in Haldia and accused the ruling party of siding with 'a select business group'.

"The state government should rise above party politics and look after Haldia port's interests," he said. "I fully support the views of Anna Hazare and others which I saw yesterday on TV channels. This is the first time I supported them (Team Anna) because we feel it is in larger interest," Banerjee said.

The West Bengal chief minister, who had earlier spoken of the possibility of her party moving a no-confidence motion in Parliament said, "You may be asking why we are not bringing a no-confidence."

"The day we withdrew our support to the government we triggered the demand for no-confidence. And, the government should have suo motu gone to the Parliament to ascertain whether they enjoyed the confidence of the House after these disastrous decisions," she said.

Banerjee alleged that the government was also issuing threats of a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry.

"It looks like the CBI is running the government and some people are giving threats of CBI, the income tax department and the Enforcement Directorate," she said.

Referring to the Cabinet reshuffle, she said, "We would be happy if the Congress says that it is a Congress government and not a United Progressive Alliance government. There are two or three (parties) existing (in the UPA alliance) like night flies."

After the Trinamool Congress left the government, Sharad Pawar's nationalist Congress Party was there in the government, she said.

Referring to the exit of two Dravida Munettra Kazhagam ministers, she said, "There are some vacancies in the ministries (which were earlier with DMK). But the DMK did not agree to join. Is it not a no-confidence? I have heard that Samajwadi Party was told to join but did not agree. Mayawati's party was also told to join but did not agree."

On the induction of Tariq Anwar, she said the NCP had been given a ministerial berth to satisfy Sharad Pawar. Banerjee also alleged that a financial deal was fixed with some business houses to project that whatever the government was doing was very good.

Criticising FDI in retail, the cap on subsidised cylinders and hike in diesel prices, Banerjee said the government should have suo motu sought a vote of confidence in

Parliament to ascertain whether the people endorsed their 'disastrous' decisions. Claiming that the UPA government was 'dead', Banerjee said life could not be infused into a dead entity.