K J Rao forced to retire under CPI(M) pressure - Jaitley

Kolkata, Mar 11 (UNI) BJP leader Arun Jaitley tonight came down heavily on the CPI(M) for ''forcing Election Commission Observer K J Rao to retire'' before the coming West Bengal Assembly election.

Talking to newsmen here after holding a meeting with Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee regarding seat sharing, Mr Jaitley, also party's election in-charge for the state, said, '' Mr Rao did an excellent job in Bihar. Had he been active in West Bengal also, it would have been good.'' The meeting remained inconclusive, Mr Jaitley said adding, however, it was held in a cordial atmosphere.

He said, ''It will take a few more rounds before finalising the list of candidates. There is no controversy between ourselves.'' The one-hour meeting was also attended by state BJP president Tathagata Ray and party general secretary Rahul Sinha.

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