Leave those Maoists alone

If finding enough funds for her favourite projects is not problem enough, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee now has another problem on her hands. Kabir Suman, the singer-turned-politician MP from her party has decided to protest against the ongoing joint operation of the state and Central forces against the Maoists in West Bengal. For this, he plans to use his favourite weapon — his guitar. “I will stand in front of the Gandhi statue inside the Parliament complex and sing. My party has not yet granted me permission. I have told them to tell me their decision by March 6. Anyway, I am determined to lodge a protest. If my party decides to expel me, it is free to do so,” the singer told reporters on Tuesday. Fearing a huge embarrassment for the party, the top leadership is trying to delay its meeting with Suman to decide on the issue. “I am not a Maoist. I don’t support killings. My protest songs will be aimed at both sides and will be sung for peace,” he said. Although Banerjee herself loves to sing, she is too worried about allowing the singer stage a show in Parliament at a time when there are already enough tensions between the Trinamool Congress and the Indian National Congress.