Buddha must reply to PC’s questions,says Pranab

The exchange of letters between Chidambaram and Bhattacharjee had sparked some controversy,especially regarding the former’s reference to “harmad camps” (camps of armed CPM cadres) in Jungalmahal. This was in line with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s repeated allegations that armed CPM camps are being set up with the assistance of joint forces deployed to rein in the Maoists in the three districts of Bankura,Purulia and West Midnapore.

Chidambaram’s letter to Bhattacharjee last month followed a 10-volume report submitted by the Trinamool Congress to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the state’s law and order situation and the use of joint forces for the benefit of the ruling CPM.

Although the Chief Minister replied to the letter,Chidambaram was apparently not satisfied with the reply and invited the former to Delhi for a dialogue on the issue.

Chidambaram again wrote to Bhattacharjee,but the latter avoided the main question about the existence of “harmad camps” in his reply.

“He (the CM) should reply to what the Home Minister actually wanted to know,” said Mukherjee today.