‘Nothing Wrong’ in Mamata’s remark- Pranab Mukherjee

"The UPA is fully informed of her position in respect to Azad's killing. We had a long discussion with her in the presence of the PM and Home Minister P Chidambaram. She had stated that if Azad was killed because he was trying to negotiate with the government then it needs to be examined," Mukherjee said.

Mamata has been facing the wrath of opposition since her Lalgarh rally on Aug. 9 in which she had said, “the way Azad was killed was not right.”

Pranab Mukherjee reasoned, “Recently, the Andhra government explained the circumstances in which Azad was killed. I don't think that Mamata Banerjee's position has any contradiction with UPA's stated position.”

CPM condemns Pranab Mukherjee
Meanwhile, CPM and other opposition parties criticized Pranab Mukherjee for supporting Mamata Banerjee.

“Finance Minister's remark was tantamount to the government running with the hare and hunting with the hound," Sitaram Yechury of CPM said.

About informing the house on details of the Maoist chief’s killing, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithiviraj Chavan said, “I had assured the House that I will get the facts about the rally and come back to the House.”