Home Minister P Chidambaram has said that "political factors in the West Bengal government" were affecting anti-naxal operations.

"There are a number of factors. The way state police is organised, the way state police is deployed is a factor.

"I think, there are political factors in the West Bengal government which is affecting the command and control of the operation," he said.

Asked why the Centre cannot carry out anti-naxal operations in West Bengal, Chidambaram said "I cannot, unless the state government says we cannot do it, you do it. They have not said that yet."

He said the talks could be held with naxals if they abjure violence.

"No government in India could accept armed liberation struggle... So we have said if you abjure violence, give up armed liberation struggle, we are willing to talk to you.

"We are willing to talk to you about your grievances, structures of local administration, about development, about money, about corruption. We are willing to talk on any issue. We want them to abjure violence," Chidambaram said.