Mamata can't mediate between Maoists, govt: Left

Questioning the suggestion that Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee should mediate between government and the Maoists, the Communist Party of India – Marxist on Friday wondered how she could do that when she was 'openly siding' with the ultra-Left brigade.

Party politburo member Sitaram Yechury said, "How can the government have a minister, who is allegedly collaborating with Maoists, in the Cabinet headed by a prime minister who has at least on three occasions told the nation that Naxals were the 'gravest' threat to internal security."

Addressing a convention on Maoist violence, he said, "Mamata is in collaboration with Maoists. How can she mediate when she is on their side? The question of Mamata mediating does not arise as they are together".

"The ruling class bankruptcy should also be exposed as they are supporting a person who is in league With Maoists. Maoists always supported the ruling class against the organised Left," he alleged

Yechury also took on Banerjee for her remarks that she can initiate talks with Maoists, saying the CPI-M leader himself had spoken to Maoists in Nepal a few years ago.

"The issue is different. I spoke to them after they came to the mainstream, after shunning violence and participated in the democratic process. We will talk to Indian Maoists when they stop the violence," he said.

He also accused the Maoists of targeting the same section of economically deprived sections for whom they claim to fight for.

Suggesting a strategy to tackle the Maoist problem, he said, "It should be treated as a law and order issue as well. The government should also address the problem of exploitation of the most exploited sections of the society -- like the tribals."

Asked whether she was ready to act as a mediator between Maoists and the government as some reports have claimed, Mamata had said on Thursday that the Naxals have also named Medha Patkar and Swami Agnivesh to take up this role.

"It was not my proposal or government's proposal. So I do not have to comment on it. The government has to take a call on it," she had said.