Basu snubs Sonia for Nandigram remarks

CPI-M patriarch Jyoti Basu snubs Sonia Gandhi for her criticism of the law and order situation in West Bengal and reference to the suffering of people at Nandigram.

CPI-M patriarch Jyoti Basu on Tuesday snubbed Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her criticism of the law and order situation in West Bengal and reference to the suffering of people at Nandigram, saying she knew nothing about the state.

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"I read in newspapers that she came to the state to campaign for panchayat elections. She knows nothing about West Bengal. There is no need to give any importance to her utterances," Basu said.

Emerging from the party's politburo meeting, Basu also criticised the Congress president for offering no comment on the hardship of the people on account of steep hike in the prices of essential goods.

"The people are suffering so much because of the price hike. It is the duty of the Centre to control prices and it is also a part of the Common Minimum Programme. They (UPA Government) is also not following the CMP," he said.

Responding to reports on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking Left leaders not to politicise the price rise issue during a recent meeting, Basu said, "We have resentment on it and party secretary Prakash Karat will speak to you."

On the induction of maverick state transport minister Subhas Chakraborty into the CPI-M central committee, Basu said that no discussion had taken place in the party on this issue.

"That (Chakraborty should be inducted into central committee) was my suggestion, he said.