By SUNIL Sonkar

Kolkata, August 29 — TMC chief Mamata Banerjee gets some support from Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee for her statement on the killing of Maoist leader Cherakuri Rajkumar alias Azad. Mukherjee found Sundsay “nothing wrong” with it.

Mukherjee was asked, being part of the UPA government, was Banerjee unjustified for her statement that the killing of Azad was not correct. He said, “I don’t think so. We had a detailed discussion with the Prime Minister, home minister and Mamata Banerjee and she has explained her position.”

He added further, “She has said if Azad was killed because of the fact that he was trying to initiate talks with the Centre then that should be explained.”

At Kolkata Press Club Mukherjee was defending Banerjee at a release of a book.

Mukherjee was also asked about allegations that CPM cadres had been entering Lalgarh. He replied that he is aware of it that the Marxist Communists are taking the help of joint forces.

He said that Banerjee made the allegation that Matxist Communists were taking advantage of the situation for their political benefits and he would look into the matter.

About the recent political clashes in the sates, he said, “Political clashes, whosoever does it, are unfortunate and there is no room for violence in the country and that should be stopped immediately.”

On August 9 Banerjee said in a rally at her Lalgarh rally that the killing of Azad was “not correct” and this has sparked a lot of controversy.