Bengal Irrigation minister's relative injured in bomb explosion

Kolkata, May 15 (UNI) A day after front partners fought a bloody battle during panchayat election polling, a relative of the West Bengal Irrigation minister was critically injured in a bomb explosion at Basanti in South 24 Paraganas district, today hitting to the rock the soured relation between the CPI(M) and the RSP.

Gouri Naskar, wife of Irrigation Minister Subhas Naskar's nephew, was admitted to the hospital with 80 per cent burn injuries in their house, which the RSP alleged was the handiwork of the CPI(M) hoodlums.

RSP sources alleged that motorcycle borne CPI(M) cadres hurled bombs on the house indiscriminately injuring Mrs Naskar.

However, CPI(M) sources said the explosion took place while bombs were being manufactured by RSP men inside the house.

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said no specific report on the exact reason of the explosion had been received so far.

Announcing a CID inquiry into the incident, Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty said at Writers Buildings that a team of police officials set out for the spot for a probe.

Yesterday, three RSP supporters and one CPI(M) activists were killed in poll violence at Basanti.

RSP leader and minister Kshiti Goswami had accused the CPI(M) of going the fascist way to take control of the election, in which the Front partners could not make seat adjustments in many places.

As the incident gave a big jolt to the dwindling unity of the Left Front partners, CPI(M) patriarch Jyoti Basu today called for rebuilding it by learning a lesson from mistakes.

Meanwhile, the RSP state secretary has called an emergency meeting on May 19 to review the situation and consider a demand being raised from within a section of partymen to pull out from the Left Front.

UNI KDG KK/src2010