Subhendu Adhikari, Trinamool Congress MP from Tamluk and son of Union minister of state for Rural Development Sisir Adhikari, talks to Chandrasekhar Bhattacharjee about the people’s revolt against the highhanded policies of the CPI (M). Subhendu defeated CPI (M) heavyweight Laxman Sett in the last Lok Sabha elections What were the challenges you faced in Khejuri?
The CPI (M) men heckled me every time I went there to campaign for my party. They even spat on me, manhandled me and tore my dress. Yet I never contemplated revenge. On the contrary, when the violence broke out our men helped the family members of CPI (M) leaers to reach safe places. We even gave protection to the family of the notorious CPI (M) leader Himangshu Das. Ask his wife and elder brother.
What was the provocation that made you block the entry of five CPI (M) ministers’ into Khejuri?
Allowing them in would have been taking a big risk. Over 12,000 people were out on the streets, recovering firearms and ammunition from CPI (M) party offices. We had earlier told police about the stockpiles, but they remained mute spectators. The recoveries had put the people on edge.
Do you think the people of Nandigram are happy with this development?
It’s not a matter of happiness, but of satisfaction. They are now sure they can sleep well in the days to come, which they have been unable to do since March 14, 2007. The first firearms recovery was made from the house of CPI (M) leader Subrata Kar’s house in Jahanabaad, Khejuri on April 29, 2007. This was a month-and-a-half after the Nandigram massacre. Had police acted at that time there would have been no such people’s upsurge. The police inaction was obviously due to CPI (M) pressure. This upsurge has removed that obstacle. Now even the police can hope to function without fear or favour.
The CPI (M) men heckled me every time I went there to campaign for my party. They even spat on me, manhandled me and tore my dress. Yet I never contemplated revenge. On the contrary, when the violence broke out our men helped the family members of CPI (M) leaers to reach safe places. We even gave protection to the family of the notorious CPI (M) leader Himangshu Das. Ask his wife and elder brother.
What was the provocation that made you block the entry of five CPI (M) ministers’ into Khejuri?
Allowing them in would have been taking a big risk. Over 12,000 people were out on the streets, recovering firearms and ammunition from CPI (M) party offices. We had earlier told police about the stockpiles, but they remained mute spectators. The recoveries had put the people on edge.
Do you think the people of Nandigram are happy with this development?
It’s not a matter of happiness, but of satisfaction. They are now sure they can sleep well in the days to come, which they have been unable to do since March 14, 2007. The first firearms recovery was made from the house of CPI (M) leader Subrata Kar’s house in Jahanabaad, Khejuri on April 29, 2007. This was a month-and-a-half after the Nandigram massacre. Had police acted at that time there would have been no such people’s upsurge. The police inaction was obviously due to CPI (M) pressure. This upsurge has removed that obstacle. Now even the police can hope to function without fear or favour.
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