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BJP's Bengal chief says they will be equal partner to Trinamul Congress

The Bharatiya Janata Party's West Bengal unit president and member of Parliament, Tapan Sikdar, today said his party would not allow any attempt to undermine it while constituting any front in the state.

"We want to have an understanding with the Trinamul Congress for a joint fight against the Communist Party of India-Marxist but forming any front should be done through the normal process," he said.

Such arrangements could not be thrust on them alone, Sikdar said, while addressing a rally at the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Calcutta after leading a silent protest against an alleged attack on his party supporters within the state.

Sikdar said his party valued its understanding with the Trinamul Congress, but would not bow to any pressure. He said thorough discussion was required to settle such issues, adding that friendship could not be taken for granted.

Sikdar said his party would have seat adjustments with the Trinamul Congress to contest the three-tier panchayat bodies in the state.

However, this arrangement was different from forming any front to save the state from the "misrule" of the CPI-M, he said, and added, "We are no less than any other party in the state."

UNI

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