The ruling Left Front in West Bengal on Thursday took exception to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram telling the state government to ensure law and order, saying it was the Trinamool Congress which was responsible for “lawlessness”. While admitting that there was a spurt in political violence in the state, it also denied that there were any grounds to impose Article 356 in the state.

Replying to questions on the statement issued by Chidambaram in Delhi, Left Front chairman Biman Bose said at a press conference: “I have not heard or read what Chidambaram has said. If he has given such advice, the state government should deal with the situation accordingly. As per the Constitution, the responsibility of maintaining law and order lies with the state government.”

Bose had invited the media to give an account of the violence “instigated” by the Trinamool since the 2006 Assembly elections. He claimed at least 327 of their party activists had been killed by Trinamool “goons”.

In Delhi, the Home Minister was asked about the ongoing clashes between CPM and Trinamool workers in West Bengal, and said he had already spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. “I did speak to the Chief Minister and impressed upon him that whatever be the cause of the inter-party clashes, it is the duty of the state government to maintain law and order,” Chidambaram said.

Bose said it was the Trinamool that was “creating lawlessness” and “resorting to falsehoods to mislead the people”, while the state was not showing any laxity. “Please go through the Constitution. It has clearly stated on what conditions the Centre can impose Article 356. I do not think such a condition prevails,” said Bose.