Mediator for talks with Maoists has to be neutral: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) today virtually ruled out accepting Trinamool Congress (TC) chief Mamata Banerjee as a mediator in talks with the Maoists saying an arbitrator has to be neutral.

"If anyone wants to become arbitrator in any talks, one has to be neutral. An arbitrator should be acceptable to all. We do not have any objection to Mamata Banerjee becoming the mediator, but her utterances are in support of Maoists," CPI(M) central committee member Mohammed Selim told reporters in Kolkata.

"Maoists and TC have contacts and they have interaction at different levels," he said.

Selim alleged some of those wanted by the CBI in Gyaneshwari train derailment were seen attending the August 9 rally at Lalgarh addressed by Mamata.

He said prime minister Manmohan Singh had on several occasions described the Maoist problem as the single most important internal security challenge, but a minister of his team had termed the killing of a Maoist leader as a "murder".

"Why did she not say it at the cabinet meeting and why she chose the Lalgarh venue to make such a comment?" Selim asked.

He said prime minister Manmohan Singh "owed an explanation to the people" for the contradictory statements made by the railway minister and the Union home minister on Maoist leader Azad's killing. While Banerjee called Azad's killing a "murder", P Chidambaram described it as an encounter killing.

The prime minister needs to explain to the people the "collaboration between the Trinamool Congress and Maoists" and his cabinet minister's support to them.

Azad, who was a member of the CPI (Maoist) politburo and spokesperson for the insurgents, was killed by police in an encounter in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh on July 2.

Selim said dialogue could be held with the Maoists only if they abjured violence and laid down arms and asked the UPA government to clarify its stand on the ceasefire offer made yesterday by Maoist leader Kishenji, calling for a three-month ceasefire by both sides.

He said the Maoists were now on the backfoot at 'Jangalmahal' because of the offensive by joint forces and that is why they have came out with the ceasefire offer.