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Centre to examine all options in Bengal: PTI

The Centre said on Sunday it would examine all options, including imposition of President's rule in West Bengal, where the situation was worse than in Bihar as the ''whole structure of the Constitution is under attack''.

Home Minister L K Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes made some harsh comments on the West Bengal situation after Fernandes submitted his report on the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Front rule in the state following his visit to Midnapore last week in the wake of recent violence.

Advani told reporters the Centre had sent three "advisories" to the state government for improving the situation but there had been no response so far.

Launching a scathing attack on the CPI-M for the incidents, Fernandes, who was deputed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee before his departure for the United States on complaints from Trinamul Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, told newsmen separately that democracy was on the verge of extinction in the state.

''Whatever I saw and heard on my visit to some villages in Midnapore district was the most terrifying experience of my political life,'' he said.

Quoting Advani after presentation of the report, Fernandes said that ''all options will be examined and the Cabinet will take a decision'' on the situation in West Bengal.

He said the home minister had briefed the prime minister on the situation in the state.

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