New Delhi:
Mamata Banerjee is causing the UPA government much embarrassment and the Opposition is ensuring it doesn't end soon. On Thursday, the Left questioned how a minster could side with Maoists and call a Maoist leader a "martyr" and said the Centre must explain.
This after Mamata said on Wednesday that she stood by her remarks when she called Maoist leader Azad's encounter a "murder" and demanded that the government investigate it.
CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury raked up Mamata's Lalgarh rally in the Rajya Sabha, demanding that a privilege motion be moved for her support of the Maoists.
"Does a Constitution permit a member of counsel to openly support Maoist activity? In the media report she has called the person killed as shahid (martyr)...How can a minister in government patronize Maoists?" he asked.
Mamata had said yesterday, "Whatever I said in Lalgarh, I said that as Trinamool Congress chief and I stick to it. In a democratic set up, we always prefer an amicable settlement and we want all the people to come out to the national stream."
The Railway Minister had held a public rally in Lalgarh, on August 9. Appealing to Maoists to give up violence, Mamata Banerjee had described Azad's killing in an encounter with security forces as "murder" and even paid tribute to the Maoist leader. "I feel the way Azad was killed is not correct. Swami Agnivesh had made him agree to hold talks (with the government). What happened was not correct. I feel the process (for holding talks with the Maoists) should start. We pay respect to his soul from this meeting," she had said.
The Railway Minister's comments in Lalgarh created a furore in Parliament, with a united Opposition taking on the government. But that did not seem to deter Mamata, who did not rule out mediating between the government and the Maoists. "All politicians should visit Lalgarh. We have to support the cause of the people. Political colour may be different, ideology may be different. I cannot impose my opinion, they (Opposition) cannot impose their opinion."
Maoist leader Koteshwar Rao better known as Kishenji on Tuesday offered a three-month conditional ceasefire for the initiation of a peace process.
Top among Kishenji's conditions are pulling out joint forces and an investigation into Maoist leader Azad's encounter.