Kolkata, April 29 (IANS) Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) patriarch and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu Tuesday said Congress president Sonia Gandhi does not have any knowledge about the situation in the state. “She has no knowledge about the situation in West Bengal. She came to campaign for her party before the panchayat election to be held next month. Whatever she said, it was just for the sake of pre-election campaign,” Basu told reporters after attending a politburo meeting at CPI-M state headquarters on Alimuddin Street here.

He said the Congress chief did not say a single word about the plight of the common people who are suffering due to price rise.

Basu said: “It’s the responsibility of the central government to check price rise. The state government alone cannot do anything. The centre (central government) needs to form some policies to check this issue.”

Talking about the seat distribution in the coming panchayat poll in the state, Basu said senior CPI-M leaders are now trying to ensure that the Left Front fights unitedly.

The CPI-M held its first party meeting here after forming the new politburo at the 19th congress in Coimbatore held between March 29 and April 3 this year.

Sonia Gandhi toured West Bengal Monday. She visited Murshidabad and Malda district where she addressed two public meetings.

Criticising the role of the CPI-M-led Left Front government, she said they should first accept their responsibility and determine why West Bengal is still lagging behind even after 30 years of Left regime.

On inflation, Gandhi said the West Bengal government should monitor price rise and it should also stop black-marketing of essential commodities in the state.

The panchayat elections in West Bengal will be held May 11, 14 and 18. Counting would take place May 21.