Mamata asked explanation over Azad's death remark

New Delhi, Aug 13: After P Chidambaram, now Pranab Mukherjee pulled up Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee over her pro-Maoists comment at a rally in Lalgarh on Monday, Aug 9.

Banerjee has been asked to explain in detail what she said there and why on Friday, Aug 13.

The latest move from the government confirms its discomfort with the stand taken by a member of the Union Cabinet.

Earlier, Home Minister P Chidambaram had said that the government would certainly not encourage anyone to support the Maoists.

Chidambaram later rejected Mamata's demand for an inquiry into the encounter killing of Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar, alias Azad.

Banerjee had said that the way Azad was killed was not right and asked for a probe into his death.

"I feel the way Azad was killed is not correct. Swami Agnivesh had made him agree to hold talks. What happened was not correct. I feel the talk process should start," she added.

Azad was killed by Andhra Pradesh Police in the Jogapur forest area at Adilabad District on Jul 2.

ANI