West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Credit: PTI Photo
Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, stated that she had offered the Congress two Lok Sabha seats to contest from West Bengal, but the latter disagreed. Banerjee held the CPI(M) responsible for ruining Trinamool’s understanding with the Congress.
Addressing a gathering at a government function in Murshidabad, Banerjee alleged that the Left party is the leading representative of the BJP’s interests. “Did you not see for 34 years? With the Congress we had a good understanding. If anyone has damaged it, then it’s the CPIM,” she said.
“I had wanted to offer two seats (to the Congress) in Malda. There’s not even one (Congress) MLA. They said it can’t be. I said how many wanted, 42? Forty-two out of forty-two? All the forty-two you will lose, and the BJP will win? By coming to power, they will have a power play?... I will not let it happen. I have the ability, the courage. I can fight the BJP,” Banerjee said.
Banerjee recalled that she was a Congress member, but was expelled from the party and later formed the Trinamool. Banerjee said that she felt that in the greater interest, all the parties (in the Opposition) will work. “I made an offer first. You don’t have even one MLA. I am giving you two seats in Malda, and will assist you in winning. They said it wouldn't be possible, and rejected it immediately. I said namaskar! Let me do my way. I cannot walk with the CPIM,” the Trinamool leader said, recalling the physical attacks she had faced during the Left’s tenure, and reminded the people of the “atrocities”.
At another meeting, earlier, in Malda, Banerjee said that Congress MPs have won on two seats, repeatedly. “What have they done for you?” she asked the people. Banerjee said that the Trinamool Congress will also contest. “They will contest along with the CPIM to strengthen the BJP. To give the BJP a tight response, it’s we alone who can take up a political fight,” she said.
The Trinamool chief, at this function as well, recalled the physical attacks on her, and said that she will never “forgive” the Left party. “Those who dwell with the CPIM, they do so with the BJP…,” she said. She said that the Congress was not satisfied with the offer of two seats. “I said that I will not offer you even one seat. First you detach from the CPIM,” she said.