'Learn to hate' CPI-M, says Trinamool minister

Kolkata, April 17 (IANS) Days after a Jadavpur University professor's arrest for circulating cartoons targeting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, state Food Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick has asked party workers to socially boycott CPI-M workers and "learn to hate them".

"You should boycott CPI-M socially, don't mix with them. If a CPI-M supporter invites you to a marriage party or a programme don't go there. If you don't boycott them socially you won't be able to avenge the misdeeds and the injustice they have perpetuated when they were in power," Mullick said while addressing a programme Monday.

Mullick's comments have raised eyebrows in Bengal which is known for its cultural and political heritage.

"Don't eat with them, don't sit with them. You all should learn to hate them. Until and unless you learn to hate them you won't be able to take revenge," Mullick added.

Last week, a Jadavpur University professor was arrested for circulating cartoons of some Trinamool Congress leaders, including Banerjee. The arrest attracted widespread criticism from all sections of the society.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front alleged that the Trinamool was trying to break the social fabric of the state.

"They are trying to break the social fabric of the state. But they won't be able to do it. Such kinds of statements are proof that the party is not driven by any ideology but by personality cult," said Mohammed Salim, CPI-M central committee member.

The Congress mocked the statement by saying that such "bizarre" statement won't make any difference to the social fabric of the state.

"A person who has gone out of his mind can only make such comments. Is he trying to say that if a Trinamool supporter boards a bus and sees a CPI-M supporter sitting there then he has to get down from the bus? I don't want to comment on such bizarre and hilarious statements," said Abdul Mannan, a state congress leader.