PM calls up Sikdar; Advani shows concern to Buddha

Left red in the face after the CPI(M) admitted that its cadre were involved in the attack on Union Minister Tapan Sikdar at Khamarpara, Chie...

Left red in the face after the CPI(M) admitted that its cadre were involved in the attack on Union Minister Tapan Sikdar at Khamarpara, Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya today apprised Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani of steps taken by his government to catch culprits.

So far, 32 people have been arrested for the attack. Of them, 16 are CPI(M) workers, DIG (HQ) Narayan Ghosh said. A police officer was served showcause notice and an Additional SP asked to explain security lapses.

The Deputy PM had called up Bhattacharya expressing concern over the attack and the rise in violence prior to panchayat polls. Advani gave this information at a BJP parliamentary party meeting, which he chaired in the absence of PM A.B. Vajpayee, said spokesman V.K. Malhotra. The PM called Sikdar at the nursing home to enquire about his health. State BJP leader Pratap Banerjee, a close aide of Sikdar, said the Minister is to address a meeting tomorrow at the same place where he was attacked.

Left Front chairman Biman Bose said: ‘‘If any party member is found guilty, he will be expelled.’’ Interestingly, state BJP president Tathagata Roy and general secretary Rahul Sinha have not called Sikdar so far. ‘‘Even the PM found time to call Tapanda. They did not even do that,’’ a senior BJP leader said.