Pranab Mukherjee to meet Mamata Banerjee today

Kolkata, Aug 14 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will meet Railway Minister and Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee, who is unwell after complaining of chest pain while returning from a rally at Lalgarh, West Bengal on August 9.

According to sources, Mukherjee may ask her about her rally which was reportedly backed by Maoists and her remarks questioning the killing of Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar, alias Azad, which sparked an opposition furore in Parliament.

On Friday, Mukherjee had sought a written reply from Banerjee on her pro-Maoist remarks.

Banerjee has been asked to explain in detail what she said in Lalgarh.

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

On being asked if the government would take action against those who support the anti-democratic movement in Naxal areas, Chidambaram said: "To a question that is framed in such a general manner, the answer can also be in a general manner. No one should support the Maoists and the government would certainly not encourage anyone to support the Maoists."

Addressing a public rally in Lalgarh on Monday, 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 (with the government). What happened was not correct. I feel the process (for holding talks with the Maoists) should start," she added.

Azad was killed by the Andhra Pradesh Police in the Jogapur forest area in Adilabad District on July 2. (ANI)