Kolkata: State BJP president Dilip Ghosh has slammed chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her attack on the BJP and the Centre over the withdrawal of Central forces from Darjeeling. He also made it clear that the government’s decision was not influenced by the party anyway.

Within few hours of Ms Banerjee’s serious accusations Mr Ghosh said, “I had demanded the President’s Rule be imposed in West Bengal. Had the Centre acted on my demand then she would not have remained the chief minister. The state government may be run from a party office in Tiljala but the Central government is not run from a state BJP office.”

The Kharagpur MLA observed, “The Central forces are not needed to be deployed to placate the anger created the ruling party in the Hills. They do not need to be targeted in a tussle in between the ruling party and its people. When someone has sparked the fire, that person have to douse it also.”

Meanwhile, state director general of police Surajit Kar Purkayastha visited Darjeeling to take stock of the ground situation and supervise the search operation to catch Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief Bimal Gurung. He was accompanied by senior police officers. Following his arrival at Bagdogra airport in the morning Mr Purkayastha said, “I have come here to inspect the overall situation and police arrangements.”