Date:12/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/12/stories/2007111256941200.htm

National

BJP wants Army sent to Nandigram

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday urged the Union government to send immediately the Army to Nandigram to instil confidence among people.

Party leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said at a press conference here that the Centre’s intervention was a must. The Army should drive out “outsiders” from Nandigram.

Plea to Centre

The Centre should also send a delegation of all-party MPs to Nandigram. This would go a long way in having a meaningful discussion on the issue in the coming Parliament session.

Mr. Naidu said West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi should send a report to the Centre on the law and order situation and this should be placed before Parliament. Even the Governor had become helpless, he added.

On Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee not being allowed to visit Nandiram, he said: “Is it democracy. Is there freedom of movement in West Bengal.”

At the same time, he sought to remind Ms. Banerjee, who resigned as MP in protest against the Nandigram violence, that it was not enough if she just quit. “She has to fight back.”