Dumka: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren today blamed the West Bengal government for the tribal agitation in West Midnapore and termed it as "sequel to non-fulfilment of their demands and aspirations".
"In the first case why should they (the tribals) resort to agitation if their aspirations and demands have been fulfilled," Soren said.
Taking exception to CPI(M)'s allegations of Maoist role in the tribal agitation in West Bengal's Purulia and Bankura districts, he said the issue was a political one.
"An agitator is never an extremist. Since Independence we have agitated for a separate Jharkhand, which ultimately was carved out from Bihar," he told PTI here.
On the Greater Jharkhand issue, Soren said it has been a demand since Independence.
Asked whether he planned a visit to the West Bengal's agitation-hit areas, Soren said he had a busy schedule.
The issue behind the tribal protest recently drew support of Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee.
