Patil did not reply convincingly on Nandigram: Advani

New Delhi, Dec 8: Alleging that what CPI-M's armed cadres did in Nandigram was nothing but a ''carnage'', Leader of Opposition L K Advani today said the Congress stand on the issue was ''ambivalent'' and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil failed to answer convincingly any questions raised by the NDA on the matter.

Reviewing the performance of the Opposition on the Indo-US nuclear deal and Nandigram violence, the BJP leader said the Congress chose to remain silent on West Bengal Governor Gopal Gandhi's anguished remark that the Nandigram's ''reconquest was unlawful and unacceptable''.

The Calcutta High Court had issued a stinging indictment on the March 14 firing as ''unconstitutional''. But Mr Patil refused to reply to the point repeatedly raised by the NDA that instead of using the state machinery to pacify the disturbed situation, the CPI-M had let loose a private army to seek a revenge on its political opponents, Mr Advani bemoaned.

Asked what discussions had taken place when West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had called him at his residence, Mr Advani conceded that some deliberations did take place on the Nandigram issue.

''But he seemed upset that I did not call on him before I went to Nandigram. I told him that I did not want to add to his woes in his party regarding our (Buddhadeb-Advani) relations that have come under severe criticism within his party circles,'' Mr Advani said.

UNI