CPM objects to WB Governor's statement over Birbhum violence

CPM objects to WB Governor's statement over Birbhum violence
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

CALCUTTA, JULY 30: The ruling CPI(M) has expressed strong reservations over West Bengal Governor Viren J. Shah's statement in which he expressed deep concern over the killings in Birbhum district last Thursday.

Saying that the Governor should interact with the state government and its ministers and ``not with the media'', senior party leader and politburo member Biman Basu said: ``The Governor cannot call an all-party meeting either.''

Indicating the tension between the office of the Governor and the state government, Biman Basu said: ``Only the government can hold all-party meetings.''

However, when asked for his reaction, state Deputy Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya refused to comment on the matter.Incidentally, the Governor had embarrassed state government and the CPI(M) earlier when he visited troubled Midnapore after the violence. Though the state CPI(M) didn't publicly choose to confront the Governor, it gave clear indications that party didn't like the visit.

Interestingly, it was not the visit per se which was controversial but the question as to whether the Governor should submit his report to the Centre or the state government.

On the question of West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu's final retirement due to his sudden illness, CPI(M) state secretary Anil Biswas, who also spoke to mediapersons today, said: ``At this juncture, no discussion would take place on the issue of Basu's retirement in the party. Basu is well.''