Comment on Mamata Banerjee not defamatory: Buddhadeb's counsel

KOLKATA: The counsel for Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said defamation suit cannot be filed for the former West Bengal Chief Minister's comment that she did not agree with the perception that Mamata Banerjee is honest.

"It is not a case of defamation. Inspite of this, if they so think it, they can file a defamation suit," Bhattacharjee's counsel Ravishankar Chattopadhyay said.

Trinamool Congress has slapped a legal notice and given Bhattacharjee a 48-hour deadline to apologise or face legal action for telling a Bengali news channel "I don't agree with the perception that she (Mamata Banerjee) is honest."

The 48-hour deadline served to Bhattacharjee will expire today.

"If Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee does not apologise, he will face legal action. It will be a defamation suit and may be filed soon," Trinamool Congress sources said.

The TMC legal cell added Mamata Banerjee was "a symbol of honesty", which the former chief minister had sought to tarnish.