Biman retracts statement on Taslima
The ruling Left Front chairman now says only the Union Government can cancel or extend the visa of the Bangladeshi writer.
Coming under fire from intellectuals for his statement that Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen should leave Kolkata if her stay disturbs peace, ruling Left Front Chairman Biman Bose on Thursday retracted by saying that only the Union Government can cancel or extend her visa.
"The state government does not have the authority to grant or cancel visa and only the Centre can do this and let the Union government take an appropriate decision on the issue".
"I should have mentioned this in clear language," Bose said while referring to his comments made to the press on Wednesday night in a written statement.
"I, on behalf of the state party (CPI-M), would like to make the people aware that I revise my statement of Wednesday night. Let the Union Government take an appropriate decision on this issue."