WB governor exceeded constitutional limit: CPI-M

West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has 'overstepped the constitutional limit of the highest office of the state' and his statement would embolden the forces determined to destablise peace in the state, the ruling CPI-M said on Saturday.

The hard-hitting statement came a day after Gandhi indicted the state government and CPI-M, saying the manner in which the recapture of villages in Nandigram was being attempted was totally "unlawful and unacceptable".

The CPI-M statement issued at a press conference by its state secretary and Politburo member Biman Bose said the party was pained at the governor's statement. "The governor's statement will embolden the forces determined to destabilise peace and democracy in the state in a most undemocratic manner."

The governor has "failed" to maintain neutrality and he has not acted in an impartial manner, he said.

The CPI-M statement said that the governor has asked the administration to remove new unauthorised manmade blocks at the four entry point to Nandigram and not the dozens of trenches, bunkers and arsenal stockpiled by the opposition parties.

This would only help those determined to incite further violence by mobilising innocent people as a shield for gunmen, it said.

While sharing the concerns expressed by the governor to restore normalcy, it said that the CPI-M wanted to assure the people that it was prepared to make any sacrifice and would lend wholehearted support to ensure peace, democracy and security in Nandigram and elsewhere in the state.

Later, replying to questions, Bose said that it was "very sad and painful" that the Governor went public with his statement on Nandigram instead of communicating his view to the government.

He alleged that Gandhi has failed to maintain neutrality when he described the return of the villagers to their homes in Nandigram as an attempt of "recapture" villages by the CPI-M.

Asked whether CPI-M would demand recall of the governor in view of his statement, Bose said, "We are not saying anything at the moment on this."