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.
Badaun: Woman murdered after gang rape, temple priest is the main accused
A 50-year-old woman was brutally murdered after a gang-rape in Ughaiti area of the Badaun d
Special Cell in Forefront of Anti-Terror Fight: Bassi
New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Five days after the NIA (National Investigation Agency) blamed officer
India to become 'favoured' spot for investment: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) Union Minister Piyush Goyal Monday said the government was committed t
US Parliament Speaker Nancy Pelosi is visiting Taiwan. China is very upset about this and is cons
Today is the birthday of star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, the hero of India's two World Cup victori
Rs.30 Lakh for Family of Armyman Killed in Kashmir
Lucknow, Jan 28 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Wednesday announced a financ
The heat of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine since February is now reaching India as we
Centre will increase budget for northeast, says minister
New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS) DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh Friday assured chief ministers of the nor
Covishield: Covishield can cause blood clots; Vaccine maker AstraZeneca admitted side effects
Vaccine maker AstraZeneca has admitted for the first time in a British court that its COVID-19 va
Customs officials on Wednesday busted arms smuggling and recovered 45 pistols at the Indira Gandh
