"CPI-M leaders should not come out of their homes because they may face public anger for their misrule in West Bengal for 35 years," Mitra, also state sports minister, said.
"Instead, they should keep in touch with people through letters," Mitra suggested while speaking to reporters at the annual police sports meet at a ground near the SP's office here.
Eight months ago, Mitra's ministerial colleague Jyotipriya Mullick had stirred a controversy by asking partymen not to mingle with CPI-M cadre, not even to establish marital relation with them in a party meeting at Habra in North 24-Parganas district.
Mullick's utterances had been denounced by CPI-M leader Md Salim as "unfortunate, atrocious and ridiculous."