Kolkata, Feb 17 (IANS) A Trinamool Congress MP Sunday played down the controversy over a minister "shielding" a councillor accused in a policeman's murder and blamed the media of putting words into the governor's mouth on the issue.
Governor M.K. Narayanan Thursday said Urban Development Minister Hakim had "no business" allegedly shielding Mohammad Iqbal, booked for his alleged involvement in the Feb 12 clashes between student activists in the Garden Reach area in which a police sub-inspector was shot dead.
"Whatever happened is very unfortunate and should never have happened. The guilty should be arrested. As for Firhad Hakim, if he is protecting, he has no business to do that," Narayanan said to a poser by the media.
Police are yet to arrest Iqbal.
But Saugata Roy, a Trinamool Congress MP and a former union minister, said the media was putting words into the governor's mouth.
"No. The governor did not say that. I think you people put words into his mouth," Roy told reporters at a function here.
He also dubbed as "speculations" the reports that due to the controversy, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee removed Hakim as the party and government spokesperson.
"Did someone send you such a letter? This is media speculation," Roy said.
He also refuted opposition's claims that law and order had deteriorated in the state.
"A few incidents occurred. But the government took stern action. It is not true that law and order condition has deteriorated," he said.
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