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Mamata snubs Fernandes

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

Cracks between the Trinamul Congress and the National Democratic Alliance came to the fore during Union Defence Minister George Fernandes' visit to Midnapore on Friday.

Fernandes visited the strife-torn villages of Keshpur, Garbeta and Chandrakona, as Trinamul chief and Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee chose to stay put at Circuit House.

In the evening, Fernandes failed to spell out a stand over repeated demands to impose Article 356 in West Bengal in the wake of 'lawlessness.' Fernandes' replies to the media's questions were characterised with ambiguity.

Fernandes said that the law and order situation in the region was deteriorating and needed immediate attention of the state government. "The areas I have toured were indeed tense as a result of political clashes spearheaded by the ruling party of Bengal. I will submit my report to the Union home ministry when I return to the capital," Fernandes said.

On whether he thought Bengal was a fit case for President's rule, he remarked that the decision was purely constitutional.

"No individual is authorised to take a final decision. We have had a bad experience in Bihar when the Congress, which has a majority in the Rajya Sabha, refused to support our stand and consequently the Union Cabinet's decision had to be revoked. Surely, we are cautious this time and do not want to repeat the mistake. Let Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee return from the United States. Only then the cabinet will discuss Mamata Banerjee's grievances," he added.

Fernandes also refused to state whether, as defence minister, he would advocate declaration of the violence marred blocks of Midnapore disturbed regions. "I can't say much on it," he said.

Mamata refused to even receive him when his helicopter landed on the sprawling lawns of Circuit House. This formality was left to Trinamul parliamentarians Sudip Bandopaddhyay and Akbar Ali Khandokar. Even when Fernandes' entourage returned after inspecting the villages, the Trinamul chief chose not to bother much in holding even informal discussions with Fernandes.

Fernandes later held a press conference and left for Calcutta.

Vajpayee, before leaving for the US, had authorised Fernandes to act as his emissary primarily due to the latter's proximity to Mamata. But Friday's developments came as a severe setback for the NDA.

On Thursday, Mamata had launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Jyoti Basu for his statements that none of his ministers would go to the airport to welcome Fernandes.

State BJP sources told rediff.com that the parties' newly elected national president Bangaru Laxman and Union Home Minister L K Advani would visit the state to assess the law and order situation. While Laxman will arrive in West Bengal on September 23, Advani was expected to tour the tense region of Midnapore after Durga Puja.

Mamata said that it was up to the Union government to take a final decision on whether to impose President's rule in the state.

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