We will not support anti-people policies of Centre: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the Narendra Modi government of pursuing anti-people policies and discriminating against the state.
She said she was ready to cooperate with the Centre but would not be "intimidated by threats".
Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to foment communal trouble and said her government would not tolerate it.
"I am ready to cooperate with the Centre but will never support anti-people policies ... We cannot be intimidated by threats. We believe in healthy politics", she told a public meeting here.
Announcing that the state government would not take any revenue for agricultural land, she said "Many farmers have committed suicide in the country and the Centre should waive their loans."

Questioning the Centre's decision to cut interest rates on small savings schemes, she said it will help chit funds to flourish.

Alleging that West Bengal was being discriminated against, while those who support BJP were getting funds, she said, "Andhra Pradesh got a special package. I have no problem but why is Bengal deprived?"
"Bengal has 88 fast-track courts and BJP-ruled Gujarat none but allocation for Gujarat was Rs 400 crore while Bengal has got nothing."
On allegations of EVM-tampering in the UP assembly polls, Banerjee said it should be probed.
"You (BJP) cannot win elections every time taking control of the EVM machines. I think there must be a probe into the EVM machines."

Maintaining that India was not a land of divisive politics and violence, Banerjee alleged the BJP was using social media to "instigate people and spread lies and rumours".
Referring to Union Minister Giriraj Singh's post on Facebook, she said, "One Union Minister posted on FB that we have banned Mangal Aarti at Dakshineshwar Kali temple. I feel ashamed that a central minister is saying such a thing. Dakshineswar temple is run by a trust and not by the state government.
"We do not do politics with temple ... We do not do politics with Goddess Durga or Kali ... They (BJP) are doing politics with Ram and Rahim," she said, and called upon the people not to give credence to rumours.

"I was born in a Hindu family. I do not need lectures in Hinduism from people who use religion for politics. I believe in equality of all religions," she said.
Refuting reports of communal trouble at Dhulagarh in Howrah district, she alleged it was a fight between anti-social elements to which the BJP had tried to give a communal colour.
"BJP only understands the language of riots. They only know how to create tension between Hindus and Muslims," she alleged.
Accusing the CPI-M of having an "understanding" with the BJP, Banerjee said, "Their only target is to remove me from office.