West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi said that there may be need for President's rule in West Bengal if the situation deteriorates.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, in an exclusive interview to India Today TV, has said there may be need for President's rule in the state.

Tension prevailed in West Bengal with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress accusing each other of orchestrating Saturday's violence that reportedly claimed at least four lives. While the BJP leadership on Sunday claimed that five of its supporters were killed in the clash, the TMC said that six of its workers had gone missing.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, speaking exclusively to India Today TV on Monday, said he has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah about the prevailing situation in the state, where post poll violence has claimed nearly a dozen lives so far. He went on to say that there may be need for President's rule in West Bengal if the situation deteriorates.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. What did you discuss in the meeting with the prime minister and the home minister?

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi: It was a courtesy call. It was a meeting to extend greetings as I couldn't meet them personally during the swearing-in ceremony. I also apprised the PM and the HM about the current situation in West Bengal.

Q. Mamata Banerjee has rejected MHA's advisory in the state. Your comments.

Tripathi: Central government has the power to issue advisory and it is the state government's lookout to reject it. I have no role to play in this.

Q. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has said that they'll demand for President's rule in West Bengal if law and order situation deteriorates. Do you think there's a need for President's rule in the state?

Tripathi: There might be. When the demand comes then the central govt will consider. But, I didn't discuss anything on President's rule with the Prime Minister or the Home Minister today.

Q. The central government and state government are at loggerheads with each other. The BJP is saying TMC goons are perpetrating violence, whereas, TMC is saying there have been no political murders. What's your take as Governor of the state?

Tripathi: These are all political statements made by parties in West Bengal. I would request all the parties to maintain peace and maintain the law and order situation in the state.