I will give befitting reply to Chidambaram’s letter: Buddhadeb

KOLKATA - West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said he will give a ‘befitting reply’ Tuesday to union Home Minister P. Chidambaram’s letter alleging that the state’s ruling Marxists had set up armed camps in the Maoist-prone areas.

“For the last few days there has been much talk about a ‘letter’. This morning I have received the letter sent by Chidambaram. But that letter has already been published in the media three-four days back.

“Tomorrow I will give the reply. I will give a befitting reply tomorrow,” said Bhattacharjee Monday, addressing a public rally at Dum Dum in the neighbouring North 24 Parganas district.

There had been a political furore in the state after Chidambaram’s missive to Bhattacharjee was leaked in the media.

Chidambaram had said in the letter that complaints received by the central government “indicate that armed cadres of the CPI-M were deployed in a covert manner under the guise of ‘village protection groups’ to guard against Naxal (Maoist) attacks.

“There is evidence to show that the camps are mostly located in CPI-M offices and those of local cadres. It is a matter of grave concern that these cadres have been provided with firearms,” he had said.

The chief minister alleged that the letter was sent to appease Trinamool Congress, which is a partner of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

“Trinamool has made them write this letter. As Trinamool Congress and Congress are having an alliance, Chidambaram has sent the letter to please Trinamool Congress,” the chief minister said.

“I will remind him that we all know that Trinamool and Congress are having an alliance. But does he also support the unholy nexus of Trinamool and Maoists,” asked Bhattacharjee.