Gautam Deb

Calcutta, Jan. 19: Housing minister Gautam Deb today disapproved of the way in which some CPM leaders constantly attacked Mamata Banerjee at a time he was trying to bring her to the talks table.

“Mamata Banerjee is the leader of the principal Opposition party and people don’t like the way some of our leaders are attacking her in public rallies. After all, she is being tipped to be the person who will take over the reins of the state after the Assembly polls,” Deb said.

The minister, who has been asked by the CPM leadership to try and bring the Trinamul Congress chief to the talks table to discuss the state’s law and order in the aftermath of the Netai firing, said: “Instead of spewing venom at Mamata, we should explore ways to bring her into our confidence. I am sure that if the ruling party and the Opposition sit across the table to discuss how to combat violence, the political clashes will come to an end.”