Mamata Banerjee's reported support to Naxals: BJP asks govt to explain

The BJP today asked the government to come clean on railway minister Mamata Banerjee's reported open support to Maoists at a rally in Lalgarh in West Bengal.

BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told reporters outside Parliament that though finance minister Pranab Mukerjee's reported remove to seek a clarification from Banerjee was "desirable", there was a need for the government to come clean on the matter.

"It (Mukherjee ascertaining facts) is a ploy by the Congress to cover up on Mamata Banerjee.But still it would be desirale to seek an explanation on how a Union minister in the cabinet has openly supported the Maoists in a public platform," he alleged.

Rudy was asked about Mukerjee reportedly seeking clarification from alliance partner and Trinamool Congress chief Banjeree's reported support to Maoists.

"The statement (supporting Maoists) made by Mamata Banerjee has been factually reported by the media. BJP leader in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley has raised the issue in the House.

The government should come clean on this issue," he said.

Minister of state for urban development and Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy, when asked about Mukherjee's reported move to ascertain details of the party rally in Lalgarh, said he had no information on it.

Asked if it was right for Banerjee to continue in the government in the wake of her reported support to Maoists, Roy asserted that she would remain in the Cabinet.