New Delhi: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused CPI(M) of distributing illegal arms to its cadres and said a section of media has reported that this was pointed out by the West Bengal Governor. "It is the Governor's report not my report which states that illegal arms being distributed in West Bengal," Mamata told reporters here.
Demanding a clarification from the CPI(M) she said, "They (CPM) have to clarify on it. People want to know. They are opportunists. They have killed 50,000 Congress workers people when I was in Congress. Even after the last Lok Sabha polls they have slain 400 members of my party." She further alleged CPI(M) cadres, in connivance with the state police, were killing people and looting villagers.
"I am against any killings. Whether it is the murder of a CPI(M) cadre or the murder of my party member or for that matter killing of a Maoist... because they are also human beings," she said.
Welcoming reports that Maoists are willing for talks, she said I am happy they are willing. I want they should come and join democratic process. If they come and join for negotiations... let them join the national stream in a peaceful democratic process."
Asked whether she was ready to act as a mediator between Maoists and the government as some reports have claimed, Mamata said the Naxals have also named Medha Patkar and Swami Agnivesh to take up this role. "It was not my proposal or government's proposal. So I do not have to comment on it. The government has to take a call on it," she said.
Hitting out at CPI(M) for suggesting that she was approached by Maoists to act as a mediator, she said "let them first reply why Sitaram Yechury went as an ambassador of Government of India to talk to Maoists in Nepal". PTI
