After declaring a crusade against Maoists last week, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee made a virtual volte face during Friday’s rally at Jhargram.
Making all possible efforts to woo Naxals, she invited them for talks on development and even offered to mediate with the Centre. And her offer was accepted ¿ at least by the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA). But much to her chagrin, their choice of mediator was her estranged parliamentarian Kabir Suman.
“We welcome the call by Mamata, but we want to talk to Trinamool MP Kabir Suman only. We believe him and think that he is above politics,” said Dhanapati, PCAPA leader.
Dhanapati’s response came after Banerjee asked them “with folded hands” to shun violence. “I am ready to touch your feet. Give up arms and talk about development,” she said at the sparsely-attended rally. “If you want expansion of railway projects, job opportunities, schools and hospitals, you are free to hold talks.”
Banerjee’s comments were in stark contrast to what she had said about a week ago in Kolkata, when she had virtually announced a war on Maoists.
On Friday, she made it clear that she will do everything for the development of Jangalmahal.
“I want to build railway tracks till Belpahari and connect the area with the rest of the state,” she said. “I have plans to run two pairs of trains between Midnapore and Jhargram. I am considering a proposal to ensure a stoppage of the Bhubaneswar-Delhi Rajdhani Express at Jhargram. If necessary I can convince the Centre to prepare a special package for the overall development of Jhargram and Jangalmahal.”