'No direct rule' for West Bengal

The Indian Home Minister, LK Advani has rejected a call from a parliamentary delegation investigating allegations of political killings in West Bengal to dismiss the state government and impose direct rule from Delhi.

But Mr Advani did call for an independent inquiry into the allegations that the Left Front had murdered eighteen supporters of an opposition party and conspired to cover up their deaths.

He also said the government would take stern measures if conditions deteriorated further.

The allegations were made by the railways minister and leader of the opposition in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service