‘CPI(M) trying to create rift between Congress, TMC’

At a time when relations have soured with its ally over the presidential polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused CPI(M) of trying to drive a wedge between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress and said that her party would not fall into the trap.

Amidst repeated interruptions while replying to the debate on the budgetary demands for grants for the Home department in the assembly, Banerjee said that Trinamool Congress would not fall into the trap laid by the CPI(M).

Urging Trinamool Congress and Congress members not to heed the insinuations of the CPI(M), Banerjee said that the Home budget had to be increased by 10 per cent because of rising prices.

Banerjee's remark that prices were increasing while the rupee was depreciating made a CPI(M) member to ask her what her party-supported government at the Centre was doing.

At this the chief minister told the member to ask his party's 'friends' about it.

This led to sharp exchanges between the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition benches.

As Speaker Biman Banerjee tried to restore calm, the chief minister requested him to suspend members, even those from her party, if they tried to disrupt the proceedings.

Congress members praised the budget saying that during the present regime the police were playing a neutral role unlike during the previous Left front regime.