"Had our leader Mamata Banerjee not given a call before the assembly election in 2011 for change and not revenge, the CPI-M would not have existed in West Bengal," senior TMC leader and Transport Minister Madan Mitra told a rally at the scene of Tuesday's violence.
"Trinamool Congress is against using bombs and guns. If you ask why we do not want it, I will say it is because had we wanted it, the CPI-M would not existed after five minutes," Mitra said.
"TMC wants peace. This is our last meeting here. If the CPI-M resorts to violence again, it will have to take the responsibility to maintain peace," he said.
"If the CPI-M tries to incite riots and people get enraged and come out of their homes with big lathis then what will we do," he asked.
"Arabul (who has been accused of attacking former CPI-M minister) is a vibrant young man. If he gets beaten up by the CPI-M, will the people sit at home and eat rasgollas? We are behind Arabul. If necessary the entire party leadership will be here to stand beside him," he said.
Mitra also criticised a section of the media.
The rally was attended by the TMC top brass, Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee, Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim and all India General Secretary Mukul Roy.
