Can visit Delhi in third week of Jan: Buddhadeb to Chidambaram

The battle of letters between Union Home Minister Chidambaram (L) and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee continues as the latter replied to the former's letter on Monday. File Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has informed Union Home Minister P Chidamabaram, who had asked him to visit Delhi immediately following Friday’s firing in Lalgarh, that he would be able to come only in the third week of this month.

“Chief Minister in a letter to the Home minister informed that he will be able to visit Delhi in the third week of this month,” a press release issued by the CM’s office here said.

Mr. Bhattacharjee’s letter was in reply to one by Mr. Chidambaram on January 7 following the death of seven villagers in firing by suspected CPI(M) armed cadre at Netai village in Lalgarh police station area.

Mr. Chidamabaran had described the killing as a grave incident, and said he had written to the chief minister and requested him to reschedule all his appointments and visit Delhi immediately.

Union Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier in the day, when pointed out that the chief minister was yet to visit Delhi despite Mr. Chidambaram’s letter said, “We are aware of it.”