Buddha attempts to mend Congress ties

NEW DELHI
Oct. 11: Putting the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, in the forefront, the CPI(M) is all out trying to mend fences with the Congress.
The fresh efforts by the CPI(M) to break ice with the Congress, after it severed ties with the latter on the nuclear deal issue, is believed to have come on the suggestion of the West Bengal unit of the party keeping in view the Assembly elections in the state in 2010.
The CPI(M)’s arch rival, the Trinamul Congress, now an ally of the Congress, will throw a big challenge to the ruling the Left Front government in the state.
Mr Bhattacharjee, in Delhi to attend the one-day party politburo meet on Sunday, held a breakfast meeting with home minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, at the latter’s residence. He also met finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, later in the day.
On Monday, Mr Bhattacharjee will be calling on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
The CPI(M) has also come out in full support of the Centre’s anti-Naxal strategy. Backing the home minister, who has ruled out any talks with the banned CPI (Maoists) till they lay down arms, Bengal CPI(M) secretary, Mr Biman Bose said, “How will we have dialogue with those who do not believe in democracy and carry arms. If they give up arms, then talks should happen.”
Source::DC