Mamata embarks on five-day tour of Congress bastions in North Bengal today

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Wednesday embark on a five-day tour of the Congress bastions in the state. She is expected to visit Malda, Murshidabad, North and South Dinajpur districts.

The visit, however, has not gone down too well with the Congress, which has accused her of misusing government machinery to bring in crowds at her rallies.

While addressing the foundation day programme of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad on Tuesday, Mamata had warned her detractors and opponents not to play with fire by fomenting riots in the state.

The visit has not gone down well with the Congress that has lashed out at Mamata saying she misuses her power to bring in crowds at her rallies.

Mamata said she had information that "some people" opposed to her were trying to spark trouble in the state.

"I warn them. Don't play with fire. Don't try to start riots. I know who all are behind such conspiracies," she said.

Banerjee said her opponents would not succeed in their "nefarious plans".

"We consider Hindus and Muslims as flowers from the same stalk. We care for both the communities equally."

Days after she was criticised by Muslim leaders for having been silent on the riots in Assam, the chief minister said she has already drawn the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the issue.

"I have drawn the attention of the prime minister to the issue during my recent visit to Delhi for attending the UPA Coordination Committee meeting."

The chief minister said her government would shelter all those who are fleeing Assam. "We will protect and care for them."

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