Firebrand CPM leader Kanti Ganguly, felicitated Ahluwalia, who toured the region on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s request. The latter had urged Ahluwalia to get a first-hand account of the problems faced by the residents of the delta region due to the frequent breach of the embankments.
After reaching Kolkata, Ahluwalia went straight to Basanti, followed by Gosaba on a motorboat. After reaching Sundarbans, he took a ride on a cycle-rickshaw van to reach Pakhiralay bungalow. There he was accorded a traditional reception.
Over 500 villagers had also gathered there to apprise him about their problems. While most of them complained about lack of electricity and frequent flooding caused by breaches in the river embankments, Ahluwalia took notes and later assured them of Centre’s full support to the villagers. “When I go back to Delhi, I will certainly give the matter serious thought,” he reportedly told the villagers.
Ganguly told The Indian Express that he was impressed by the way Ahluwalia listened to the people and expressed hope that the visit will bore fruits for the residents of the area.
He also said that Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram is likely to visit the deltaic region shortly.
“He has never been to the Sundarbans, and he also wants to understand the problems created by breached embankments,” Ganguly added.
Sources in the CPM said that the party no longer wishes to use the label like “American stooge” for senior officials and ministers of the Union government. The change in the party’s attitude is attributed to the Chief Minister’s vision of industrialised state and his effort to have a healthy relation with the Centre. “We think that even Chidambaram is pro-US person. That doesn’t meant that we will not give him a reception when he comes,” said Benoy Konar, senior central committee member.