Maintain neutrality 8212; Basu to Advani

Stating that Advani8217;s letter listing some incidents of political violence did not reflect the actual position and was quot;somewhat misleadingquot;, he said quot;your contention that political violence has been increasing in places where BJP-Trinamool Congress is gaining ground is incorrect and not based on facts.quot;

Basu said the Trinamool-BJP combine resorted to violence and terrorised political opponents, particularly in Keshpur, Garbeta, Sabong and Pingla areas of Midnapore district, to win the Panskura Lok Sabha bypoll.

Denying the charge that clashes had communal and caste overtones, Basu said quot;It is good that you have realised that it is essential to protect the rights of the religious minorities and to maintain communal harmony in the country.quot;

In an obvious reference to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister urged Advani to quot;restrain one of your Cabinet colleagues from this state who has a propensity to incite people to take to the path of violencequot; through her speeches and activities.