Congress makes use of CPM-CRPF row

LEFT ROW: CPI-M says CRPF exceeded its brief during panchayat polls in Nandigram.

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Kolkata/ New Delhi: The Centre has asked the West Bengal government and the Central Reserve Police Force to explain the tiff between a senior CRPF officer and a CPI-M MP in Nandigram during panchayat polls.

Alok Raj, Deputy Inspector General, recorded his conversation with Laxman Seth and played it before the media. The Congress has little chance of winning the panchayat polls, but the controversy gives it an opportunity to embarrass the Left Front government in the state. Hence, the Union Home Ministry has asked the state government and CRPF for a report.

The Congress denies that the UPA and its Left allies were heading for a standoff. “MPs are people’s representative and they should not misuse their power,” said Mohsina Kidwai, Congress leader in charge of West Bengal.

The CRPF refused to comment on the Centre’s directive. "We will not get into a political debate. We did our job (and) we functioned under the direct command of West Bengal Police. We were deputed at places where they wanted us to go,” said a statement from the CRPF. The CPI-M too chose not to react.