Chidambaram critical of Bengal

Quoting statistics, Chidambaram, addressing the members of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, said 1112 people were also injured in the inter-party clashes which was "a matter of concern and should come to an end".

He said there should be a democratic way to protest and not by violence. "Before we ask Maoists to abjure violence,we must follow the same."

Later,speaking to reporters at the WBPCC office Chidamabaram said, "I did not point out law and order in West Bengal. What I said was about inter-party clashes in the state, and which existed in 2010 and in 2011 during election and still exists."

Chidamabaram, who held an hour-long meeting with PCC leaders and PCC chief Pradip Bhattacharya, said "Inter-party clashes are not a way in a democracy. Inter-party clashes are not acceptable in a democracy. Rather, discussions, debates and arguments are acceptable in a democracy."

Sharply reacting to this, Panchayat minister and senior Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Mukherjee said Chidamabaram had provided 'distorted' figures.

"It's an unwanted statement and can be treated a threat from the Centre. It's a ploy to create pressure before the presidential elections," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said "Chidambaram has no authority to speak on law and order which is a state subject and we think his comments will only provide oxygen to the CPI(M)."