Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) Accusing the Congress and the BJP of appeasing some religious communities during electoral battles, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Wednesday claimed her party would play an important role in the formation of the central government.
Addressing a party workers' meeting in Itahar in North Dinajpur district, Banerjee said the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have formed a syndicate, and voting for one of them meant voting for the other two.
"We don't appease any religious communities during elections. As soon as elections approach, Congress sings paeans for Muslims and BJP appeases the Hindus," she said.
"We work for all - be it Hindus, Muslims, general category or backward classes - not just during elections," the West Bengal chief minister said.
Banerjee alleged that the Congress and the BJP have come to an "understanding" and divided Andhra Pradesh, and said she would rather face death than let them divide Bengal.
"The Congress and the BJP had a secret pact in parliament during the passage of the Telangana bill. They have divided Andhra Pradesh. It depends on the state whether it will be bifurcated or not. One has to take the state's consent. I will be prepared for death but will not cede an inch of our land," she said.
Itahar is a part of the Raiganj Lok Sabha seat, a Congress stronghold, from where union minister Deepa Dasmunsi is contesting.
Trinamool has named Satyaranjan Dasmunsi, brother of Deepa's ailing husband former union minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.
With the Congress criticising the Trinamool for "preventing" the central government from setting up an All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) at Raiganj, Banerjee Wednesday returned fire.
"What is stopping the centre from setting up AIIMS in Raiganj? Let them acquire land and do it. The centre does not keep its promises. We have given a go ahead for a medical college in Raiganj," she said.
Banerjee said neither the Congress nor the BJP would be able to form a government at the centre after the Lok Sabha polls.
"We (Trinamool) will play an important role in the formation of the next central government," she said.
The first meeting of the high-level committee formed by the Central Government to investigate the
Azad re-elected to Rajya Sabha from Kashmir
Jammu, Feb 7 (IANS) Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, wa
America again besieges China, says - is behaving aggressively in South China Sea
Washington: US Defense Minister Mark Asper said on Tuesday that China's military was taking an ag
Not only the high-level committee but now students and parents will also suggest what kind of imp
North Korea is facing challenges, will succeed: Kim Jong Un
North Korea's dictator leader Kim Jong Un has tested a record number of missiles this year. After
After the defeat from Pakistan, the eyes of Team India are now fixed on the match to be played ag
Two killed, 10 injured in Jammu terror attack
Jammu, March 20 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Friday said two
The central government made a major administrative reshuffle on Monday. Under this, former Petrol
Despite all the threats from China, Nancy Pelosi came to Taiwan and went back after spending a wh
Insurance bill passed by Lok Sabha, suspense in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi/Chennai, March 4 (IANS) The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the insurance sector amendm