Basu mellows down, does some explaining on Midnapore

Basu mellows down, does some explaining on Midnapore
SANTANU BANERJEE

CALCUTTA, SEPT 13: Although West Bengal Chief Minister today curtly dismissed the possibility of either meeting Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee or visiting the violence-hit Midnapore district, a letter he sent to Union Home Minister L.K. Advani today lacked the belligerence with which he has tackled the issues so far.

While reacting to the various advisories from the Centre, Basu said recently that he would himself reply to them instead of his Chief Secretary. However, except for a critical mention on Defence Minister George Fernandes' visit to the state and his report, the letter was an indication that Basu had mellowed down. The Chief Minister stuck to the official line and presented details on how the state government had been tackling the situation.

``It is strange that Shri Fernandes never bothered to talk to the district officials. Nor did he meet me or the Deputy Chief Minister. Such...action on the part of a Union Minister is unbecoming and unheard of,'' Basu reminded Advani.

``In our view, his report is biased and politically motivated. The Union Minister would have done well to visit the villages concerned a year ago when he could have seen the violence unleashed by Trinamool Congress activists,'' the letter added.

He dismissed as ``untrue'' Fernandes' statement that adequate security was not being provided to the Railway Minister.

Stating that public order was the prime concern of the state government, Basu told Advani that ``the state government is fully conscious of its constitutional responsibilities''.

Referring to a communication from the Union Home Ministry that intellectuals in the state were concerned about the law and order situation, the West Bengal Chief Minister said: ``In fact, the Confederation of Indian Industries in their recent report indicated that this state ranks much ahead of other states in maintaining law and order.''

He told Advani that the people, irrespective of their political affiliations, who had fled their villages and homes, were coming back. ``A call has been given to the affected people cutting across political lines,'' and ``the district administration has been told to facilitate the process,'' the letter said.

Basu said relief arrangements were being made for the people affected by the violence.