Kolkata: The Left Front and the Trinamool have, obviously, always been hostile. But on Saturday, that hostility hit a new low.
The West Bengal Transport Minister boycotted the inauguration of the Metro's extension hosted by Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee. He had received the invitation to the event only on Friday. The Trinamool, which turned the event into a star-studded affair, did not miss his presence.
The ads about the event were politically correct, with pictures of all the VIPs expected, including the state transport minister. After all, the state did give one third of the money spent on the Metro extension from Tollygunge to Garia Bazar. But the invitation card showed his inclusion was an afterthought.
"The way the invitation was issued was not proper," said West Bengal Transport Minister Ranjit Kundu.
The Trinamool said the Left is needlessly politicising the issue and turned the event into a celebration of the Bengali film industry. Tollygunge station was renamed after legendary actor Uttam Kumar. Mamata also announced she would name a new Metro Rail Hospital after filmmaker Tapan Sinha and a new stadium after Satyajit Ray.
"I had stated it in my budget. The money is there for a 75-bed hospital. The land is there," said Mamata.
Left's reaction to the railway bonanza - Mamata is using her ministry to further her political ends. The Trinamool barb - the Left is feeling left out. Clearly, the hostility between the Left and the Trinamool is all set to take a nasty turn.