'Constitutional breakdown; CPM Govt must resign'

NDA delegation to take stock of village situation Amid continuing violence, an NDA delegation led by Leader of Opposition LK Advani will visit Nandigram on Tuesday for "first hand knowledge" of the situation there. The nine-member delegation is expected to visit the trouble-torn village in East Midnapore district and various hospitals, where a number of injured are admitted, party chief whip SS Ahluwalia said. The delegation includes Sushma Swaraj and Alhuwalia (BJP), Sharad Yadav (JD-U), BK Tripathi (BJD), Anant Gudhe (Shiv Sena), Sukhbir Singh Badal (Akali Dal) and Chandan Mitra and Sharad Joshi (both MPs). Stepping up pressure, the NDA is also expected to raise the issue during the Winter Session of Parliament as it alleged that West Bengal's Left Government was being protected by the Centre despite Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi's report and continuing violence in Nandigram. "Based on the team's report, the NDA will raise the matter in Parliament during the upcoming session beginning on Thursday," BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Calling it a total "constitutional breakdown" in West Bengal, BJP president Rajnath Singh on Monday sought immediate dismissal of the CPI(M) Government against the backdrop of the violence that has rocked Nandigram. The BJP has accused CPI(M) workers of perpetuating violence in the already trouble-torn area.

Talking to reporters in Bangalore after BS Yeddyurappa took over as the Karnataka Chief Minister, Rajnath said the involvement of armed CPI(M) cadre in land acquisition for industrial purposes would not send good signal across the country.

"The party cadre has rendered homeless several thousands of men, women and children, who are living under sky without proper rehabilitation and facilities. This is a serious matter and the Centre should take note of it," Rajnath added.

He went on to describe the UPA, which is enjoying the support of the Left parties, as a 'failure' on all fronts - inflation, national security, appeasement. "With the manner the Government at the Centre is working, the nation is surely heading towards a mid-term poll. We are ready for that," the BJP president maintained.

Rajnath accused the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre of lamenting about the plights of people in Nandigram without actually doing anything to sort out their problems.

"If they (UPA) are so worried about the situation in West Bengal what is stopping them from taking action in this regard. Safety of the local residents should be the top priority," Rajnath said.