Mamata Banerjee, mercurial chief minister of West Bengal and head of the Trinamool Congress, talks to CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai on the recent row over former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi and the strained relationship with the Congress party. Edited excerpts:
On withdrawing from UPA-II.
“Whatever we are doing, our decisions are for the poor people, common people. I’m committed to UPA-II because we contested elections together. I want to keep my manifesto promise. Unless they throw us out, we would continue with respect, whatever they may give to us. Until, unless there is humiliation, we will abide by our commitment.
On removal of railway minister.
He is my own minister at least on policy decisions...I’m not asking for the Budget proposal to be given to me. Can you think that without discussing policy decisions with Soniaji, the Congress can place the Budget? In every party, there is a parampara. If somebody is deputed from the party, they have to inform the party about the policy decision. At least, you should inform about price hikes.
They should work for the poor people. The poor people travel every day by train; more than 60 per cent of them are daily passengers. Two paise or five paise increase amounts to around Rs 200 in a month.
On Railway Budget.
It’s no reform Budget. Those who praise the Budget only see their angle and don’t see the public angle. In this country today, if you say something for the poor, one section of the media says it's bad. Increasing the fare is not the only way. I believe in going for innovations. You should go for commercialisation, new business options. I had given all options (when I was rail minister).
On being anti-reform.
"It is not reform. It's a pressure on the poor people. You people plead for some individual and don't plead for the country.
On using the rail ministry as her personal office.
Why does Soniaji decide who will be the PM of the country? Because she is the leader of the party. It is a coalition government. I can't interfere in Congress business; the Congress can’t interfere in our party business. Who will be our minister is the party prerogative to decide. When I became the CM, they sent me a list on who will be the minister. I could not pick from their party. It was for their party to decide.
On UPA coordination committee.
“We have been demanding that from the beginning. But three years have passed by.
On special package to Bengal.
"In 2005, the central government started the FRBM (Fiscal Restraint Act, etc) policy; the then West Bengal government did not accept it. We are carrying the baggage of the Left Front legacy. Before the election, the PM assured us a special package. Now more than Rs 203000 crore debt is pending. I'm not begging for money from the Centre. We need to protect our rights. Our total income is only Rs 21,000 crore. The central government is taking Rs 22,000 crore from the state treasury. How will I give drinking water, food or electricity to the people?
On NCTC issue.
I appreciate combating terrorism. But the state government and the central government should do it together. During my last visit, they had a press statement that without consultation with the CMs, they would not implement the decision. Why did they include it in the President's Address? This is not less than Tada (the old and draconian anti-terrorism law). I fought against Tada. This can be politically misused.
On communication gap with the Congress.
That's true. If they want to continue, we don't want to fight everyday. There should be some mechanism. The alliance party must enjoy some trust. When there is an alliance, there should be consultation, coordination and good understanding. If anything hurts anybody, then they can discuss it and sort it out.
On federal front.
"All the grassroot leaders who know this country matter. Only Delhi can't run the country. I support the national party and also the federal front. You need so many flowers to make a garland. One flower can't make a garland. All parties have their own importance in their states.
