Day after reaching out to KCR, Stalin, Mamata Banerjee says Congress can go its own way

"The Trinamool is not fighting against the Congress, rather, it’s performing its ‘duty’ to bring secular forces to a common platform," Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee has stated. Mamata has already spoken to MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu chief minister, and K Chandrashekar, Telangana’s Chief Minister.

On Monday, the Trinamool continued its winning streak in West Bengal, as the party retained three municipal boards, and captured a fourth from the Left. Talking to ABP Ananda, private regional channel, over the phone, Mamata clarified that the Congress can continue the way it wants, but the Trinamool will walk the path that it feels is appropriate.

The Trinamool chief alleged that the Congress and regional parties aren’t related strongly, whereas the regional parties share an understanding among themselves. Mamata referred to her conversation she had with the two chief ministers - MK Stalin, and K Chandrashekar Rao.

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Together, we are trying, she said, reiterating that the federal structure is being ‘bulldozed’, and the country's Constitution is facing ‘destruction’. For (saving) this, all need to come together. “I had told CPM, also the Congress. If they don’t listen, what will you do? We don’t have anything personal against anyone,” she said. “Why will we fight against the Congress? Those who call themselves secular, it’s their duty to come together. It’s not my responsibility (alone). It’s a responsibility for all,” she added.

The fight, Mamata feels, is for saving the federal structure, and against a tendency of the ruling BJP to steer towards a presidential form of government at the Centre.

UP chief minister Adityanath’s comments about West Bengal, have been viewed critically in Bengal. Referring to incidents of violence and lack of follow up government action in UP, Mamata highlighted the alleged atrocities the farmers and women in the state have faced in the recent past. Voters from all communities have come together in UP (against the BJP’s might), and Trinamool has refrained from fielding candidates. We don’t want Akhilesh to be weak (on any seat), she stated, adding that to her guess, the Samajwadi may bag 37 seats in the first phase. On 3rd March, Mamata will be in Varanasi for a campaign.

While Trinamool has been actively working in Goa for only a few months, it has been able to make itself known to all households in the state, she mentioned.

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