Buddhadeb plays statesman, says, let’s work together

NEW DELHI: The political blame game over Maoist violence tempered down on Friday after home minister P Chidambaram accepted “full responsibility” for the Dantewada massacre. West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said this was the time “to work together” and not blame each other.

“This is not the time to blame anyone. This is not the time to blame each other. It is time to work together. It’s a collective responsibility and we must work collectively,” Mr Bhattacharjee said at a news conference here. He was responding to a question about Mr Chidambaram accepting full responsibility earlier in the day for the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.

Mr Bhattacharjee, who just three days ago was angry with the home minister for saying the “buck should stop at the chief minister’s table” on the situation in West Bengal, said unless “we work collectively, it will be difficult to deal with Maoist violence.”

When asked if he felt the anti-Maoist operations should be reviewed, he said that in the aftermath of Chhattisgarh, a serious thought should be given to the issue. “We should revamp our plans and operations. I am not satisfied with the situation. We have to do more,” Mr Bhattacharjee said. However, he refused to divulge what changes he had in mind, saying he will first discuss his views with the prime minister and other authorities.

Mr Bhattacharjee, who was in the capital for meeting the prime minister on the price rise issue, said he had discussed Maoist violence with Mr Manmohan Singh. The chief minister said he had sought special funds from the Planning Commission for road connectivity, healthcare and irrigation in Maoist-hit areas.

Repeating the allegation that Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee was “hand-in-glove” with Maoists, he said he had conveyed this to Mr Chidambaram. “Whenever I meet the home minister, I have been telling him that they (TMC and Maoists) are working hand-in-glove. He does not like it... The home minister does not like any party, any individual, NGO or the media supporting Maoists.” Mr Bhattacharjee refused to answer any questions about Maoist leader Kishenji.