Bloc general secretary Debabrata Biswas, who initiated the discussion, placed a report which was critical of the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led government and the CPM for its failure to tackle the problem of tribals, which has “invited Maoists in the region”. The present situation in Lalgarh could have been avoided had the state government been mindful of the causes of tribals and the poor, it added.

The report stated: “Even after 32 years of uninterrupted rule of the Left parties, the region remains one of the most backward in the state. The people were suffering from unemployment, poverty, lack of health facilities, and failure in education, transport and infrastructure sector.”

The local authorities, with the help of local leaders, conspicuously did not implement many of the government schemes meant for the welfare of tribal people in the region, it added.

The Bloc also questioned the government and the CPM as to how the people have lost faith in the Left — particularly the CPM and its government. “Where has the money allotted for the welfare of the tribal people gone? The Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad, the government machinery for the development of the region, has allotted Rs 50 crore. We feel the state government has a responsibility to answer all these questions,” Biswas reportedly told the conference.

According to sources in the Bloc, following the rout of CPM in the area, the party is planning to organise tribals under banners like Agragami Adivasi Organisation and Dalit Adivasi Sangharsh Samiti.

Both these organisations are backed by the Bloc and have been asked to stage demonstrations against the apathy of the state government regarding implementation of schemes aimed at poverty elevation. “The organisations have staged several demonstrations for the rights of Adivasis and Dalits. We have to strengthen such movements,” said Biswas.

The meet continue till December 21. Around 1,500 delegates from 23 states are attending the session, where Block leaders are trying to hammer out a strategy to create a separate identity from big brother CPM. The party is also trying to identify the areas where people have rejected the CPM - the areas where Bloc plans to expand its organisation, said a source.

CM passes the buck to Mamata

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said on Sunday that Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is trying to bring back the days of the 70s in Bengal by joining hands with the Maoists and spreading violence across the state.

He said this while addressing a CITU rally in Burdwan’s Ranigunj. “Violence is spreading across the state, even in college elections. Trinamool’s army of miscreants is behind this. They are trying to bring anarchy, the 70s back to Bengal. There is no difference between Trinamool and Maoists. They have joined hands,” Bhattacharjee said.

He alleged that Trinamool is behind separatist movements in the state. “Trinamool is backing Maoists, Gorkhaland and Kamtapuris. They want to divide Bengal,” he said.

Bhattacharjee also alleged that industrial expansion in the Asansol-Durgapur belt as well as rehabilitation is being affected as Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) is not allowing land to be used there.

“Wherever we choose land for industry, the ECL says there is coal underground. We understand, but then we have to go for industrialisation. There is also the question of rehabilitating tjose who have lost their households. We need to make townships for them and thus we need land,” he added.

Bhattacharjee will bring up these matters in his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh scheduled in Delhi next week.