Buddhadeb threatens action against Trinamool

KOLKATA - West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Tuesday threatened to take administrative action against the state’s main opposition Trinamool Congress leadership if the party continued its “nexus” with the Maoists.

Speaking at a rally in the city, Bhattacharjee said: “…We will not keep quiet. If they (Trinamool Congress) continue hobnobbing with the Maoists, we will do what a state government should do. Stringent action is warranted and we will take that.”

Bhattacharjee’s comments come in the wake of the arrest of two persons, whom the police claim to be Maoist guerrillas, from a guesthouse of the Trinamool Congress-run Midnapore municipality in West Midnapore district Monday.

The arrested duo were allegedly involved in the rebel attack on the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) camp at Silda, 30 km from Midnapore town, killing 24 EFR personnel Feb 15, 2010.

Following the arrest, Bhattacharjee had issued a stern statement Monday night describing the incident as “dangerous” and that it was yet another proof that the Trinamool and the left wing ultras were hand in glove.

“I had said this earlier also. I am apprising union Home Minister P. Chidambaram about this incident. I will remind him of his responsibilities in this regard,” the statement said.

The chief minister said he had intimated Chidambaram about the problem during their previous meeting. “I will again remind him about this,” he said.