CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat on Thursday said that the WikiLeaks report revealed that the US wants the Trinamul Congress to come to power in Bengal and Mamata Banerjee to become the chief minister. He asked Ms Banerjee to clear her stand.
“The cables, accessed by WikiLeaks, also showed that the US was cultivating the Trinamul Congress chief,” Mr Karat told a news conference at the state party headquarters. He has sought an explanation from the Trinamul Congress on the issue. Significantly, the cable offers an assessment that scepticism remains whether Ms Banerjee’s makeover truly represents a new product — cooler, more level-headed and willing to accept outside advice — or simply the season’s new political make-up.
“Consensus exists that she is conscientiously trying to transform her image from political maverick and firebrand to a woman ready, able and willing to lead India’s fourth most-populous state,” citing this assessment of the cable through WikiLeaks, Mr Karat said that the cables contain a report from the consulate general of the US in Kolkata which was sent after the general elections in 2009 that the Trinamul Congress will be friendly with the US. On the question of the party’s Bengal unit’s decision to invite expelled CPI(M) leader and former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to campaign, Mr Karat said, “Any personality or person whoever extends his support to the Left Front is welcome to campaign and support the Front.”