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Describing it as a 'black day' for West Bengal, Banerjee told newspersons in Kolkata, "The Union cabinet's decision (to uphold the bifurcation of the Eastern Railway zone) is shocking. It is not taken from an administrative point of view. It is a gross injustice to the state."
"I had confidence in the prime minister, but we know that some people have played a dirty game. It is a reward to (railway minister) Nitish Kumar because of the role he played in covering up the Godhra incident," since the forensic report had revealed that there were explosive materials inside the train, she alleged.
In the original proposal, Dhanbad and Mughalsarai divisions were not included in the proposed East Central zone to be carved out of Eastern Railway, the former railway minister said, adding it was Nitish Kumar who added the two divisions to the new zone.
Banerjee said her party's working committee would meet on July 31 and decide on the future course of action.
Meanwhile, West Bengal's ruling Left Front protested against the Union cabinet's decision and said nothing short of the removal of the 'anti-people government at the Centre' would save the nation.
The Front, at an emergency meeting in Kolkata, announced protest rallies in all railway stations in the state, but said it would not include rail blockade programmes.
The Front also said that Mamata Banerjee, a former railway minister, could not be absolved of her responsibility in the entire episode.
More reports on the Godhra carnage and its aftermath
More reports on the bifurcation controversy
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