Chidambaram criticises Bengal govt, TMC hits back

Union Home minister P Chidambaram on Thursday criticised Trinamool Congress ruled West Bengal, a major ally of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance at the Centre.

He said 82 people had been killed in 455 cases of inter-party clashes in the last six months, which was "a matter of concern''.

Quoting statistics, Chidambaram, while addressing the members of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, said 1,112 people were also injured in inter-party clashes, which was "a matter of concern and should come to an end".

He said there should be a democratic way to protest. "Before we ask Maoists to abjure violence, we must follow the same," he said.

Later, speaking to reporters at the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee office Chidambaram said, "I did not point out law and order problems in West Bengal. What I said was about inter-party clashes in the state, which existed in 2010 and in 2011 during elections, and still exists."

Chidamabaram, who held an hour-long meeting with PCC leaders and PCC chief Pradip Bhattacharya, said, "Inter-party clashes are not a way in a democracy. Inter-party clashes are not acceptable in a democracy. Discussions, debates and arguments are acceptable in a democracy."

Sharply reacting to his comment, Panchayat Minister and senior Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Mukherjee said Chidamabaram had provided 'distorted' figures.

"It's an unwanted statement and can be treated as a threat from the Centre. It's a ploy to create pressure before the presidential elections," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said, "Chidambaram has no authority to speak on law and order, which is a state subject, and we think his comments will only provide oxygen to the Communist Party of India - Marxist."