New Delhi/ Kolkata, Aug. 10: The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mr Arun Jaitley, said that the PM on several occasions has called the Maoists the single largest threat to internal peace. “He is the Leader of the House and no member can disagree with him,” he said referring to Ms Banerjee’s reported expression of grief over Maoist leader Azad’s killing.
Mr Jaitley added, “A minister is saying that the killing of Azad was staged. Only the PM can clear the air on the issue.” He added, “The principle of collective responsibility has been breached.”
He also alleged the involvement of several top Maoist leaders in the Lalgarh rally. “The underground Maoist leader Kishenji says people must go and participate. Manoj Mahto, an underground leader, was there carrying the flag of a political party,” Mr Jaitley said, adding: “The top police officer there says Ashish Mahto, who is responsible for the attack on the Gyaneshwari Express, was also there.”
In the LS, Leader of the House, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, was finally forced to intervene in the din being created by Trinamul MPs as the BJP’s deputy leader of the House, Mr Gopinath Munde, lashed out at Ms Banerjee for hobnobbing with the Maoists.
He said, “We will ascertain the position from the minister. I can’t say anything beyond that.”