This Article is From Sep 10, 2010

CPM raps Rahul Gandhi for 'two Bengals' remark

Rae Bareily: The CPM has hit back at Rahul Gandhi for his recent remark in Kolkata that there are two Bengals: one that is backward and full of poor people and another that's controlled by CPM cadres.

The CPM in their party weekly, People's Democracy, says even the most backward district of West Bengal fares better than Rae Bareily and Amethi.

The editorial reads, "One can understand such campaigns at the time of elections. But, even these have to be based on facts and realities. Some parts of West Bengal like Purulia had been described as the most backward in the country. A comparison of the socio-economic indicators of Purulia with those in Rae Bareily and Amethi will tell the real story. The number of people below the poverty line in Purulia is 31 per cent compared to 54 per cent in Rae Bareli and Amethi."
 
"Likewise, families with electricity were 29 compared to14; vaccinated children 84 compared to 16; neo-natal deaths 46 compared to 83 per thousand and fatality below five years 89 compared to 160 per thousand."

Backing the People's Democracy editorial, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury said the "figures were not cooked" and they were government numbers.

CONG: LEFT GOOD AT JUGGLING FIGURES

As the CPM threw development figures at Rahul for his remark, the Congress said the CPM was good at juggling numbers.

"The reality is that over the past 30 years, West Bengal has been run like one party tyranny. There is no rule of law. The only way you can prosper is by being a cadre of the CPM," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

"Rahul Gandhi is absolutely right about the Bengal comment. One sixth of Bengal in under poverty, which is the real Bengal - the poor Bengal.

"The Left party has always given juggling numbers and shown creative accountancy. The rule of CPM will hopefully end next year," he added.
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