Replying to Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar’s letter, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that she was not against the Army but is strongly against the Army being used for political gains. She added that move by the Centre was unprecedented.
"My complaint was not against the army. It was against your government and the government policy, as they act under your directions. We have great respect for their nationalism and professionalism," Mamata said in the strongly-worded two-page letter.
Earlier, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had called the controversy “avoidable.”
In a letter addressed to Banerjee, Parrikar said he was “deeply pained by allegations as reported in the media”.
If only you had enquired with the concerned agencies of the state government, you would have come to know of the extensive correspondence between the Army and the state agencies, including the joint inspection of sites carried out by them.
Here’s a copy of the letter:
(With inputs from PTI.)
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