I meet Oppn parties, as others spend time abroad: Mamata Banerjee in Mumbai

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee arrives at Y B Chavan centre to attend a meeting with civil society members, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she has been going around the country to seek support of opposition parties, because one (Congress) is doing nothing and one of its leaders (Rahul Gandhi) has spent considerable amount of time abroad instead of fighting the adversaries here in India.

The Trinamool Congress president was responding to a civil society member who asked what she would do for Opposition unity, as there was none at present. Several intellectuals, activists, editors, independent journalists and activist-turned-politicians were part of the interaction with Banerjee, which was held at Y B Chavan Centre. Film personality, poet and writer Javed Akhtar moderated the session.

Rahul Gandhi

"Parivar me har insan ek saman nahi hota (In a family, all members are not on the same page). I think there would be competition if I keep meeting opposition leaders. Some parties and people do nothing. Aadha samay to videsh mei hi rehta hai, kuch nahi karta hai (spends half the time abroad and does nothing)," Banerjee said, without mentioning the former Congress chief Rahul.

A jab at Congress

Her statement was seen as a fitting reply to the Congress's jab that she was repeating the past mistakes by opposing the Congress, thus helping the BJP. The TMC has been distancing itself from the Congress-led activities in the ongoing Parliament winter session.

Banerjee said she firmly believed in a federal structure and strongly felt that the regional parties should be united, because together they can beat the BJP hands down.

"I don't want division. We will be strong when we are united. Even [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi gets scared of the united effort. Why did he repeal the farm acts? It's because of the forthcoming elections. Our primary job is to save the country first. Do not worry, believe in yourself. Sab ho jayega," she said in response to another question.

Banerjee said politicians alone cannot do everything. "Speak up from where you are. We can fight it out together, walk together. Political parties will do their job." Another activist said he could speak up freely in Maharashtra after the three-party MVA replaced the BJP, and asked whether the MVA formula could be applied in other states. Responding, Banerjee said each state was politically different, "but we (TMC) will fight (the BJP) where the Congress cannot". When a noted columnist wanted to know who would be the next PM, Banerjee said, "Why only us politicians? You could also be the PM. One of my ministers is from a cultural background. The matter is whether we can save the country or not."

‘Will scrap all drastic laws'

She said all drastic laws would be scrapped after the BJP is replaced in the Centre. "I will be happy to do it. Khela Hobe…"

Banerjee also raised questions over the use of central law enforcement agencies. "The PM CARES Fund is a big scandal. There's no audit, no accounts. Where are the CBI and ED? But let me tell you we will not get scared. Jab tak jiyenge tab tak ladenge (we will fight till our last breath)," she said.

To a question whether the officials who are instrumental in misusing the agencies at the behest of the BJP be tried in court after the change of rule, Banerjee said she would not reveal everything now because the BJP would make a strategy to counter her plan.She asked civil society members to form a national-level advisory council to guide the opposition. "Please give us direction. Have experts from Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, etc. We will give you north-east." One of the attendees suggested that the laws legislated during the BJP regime should be reviewed because only 7 out of 70 were debated in Parliament, and a strategy be made in consultation with NCP chief Sharad Pawar for winning the maximum number of LS seats in 2024 from West Bengal and Maharashtra. Responding, Banerjee said she would discuss both issues with her NCP counterpart.

‘Keep ego aside, Cong the only alternative'

Reacting to Banerjee's statement, Maharashtra Cong president Nana Patole said a political party restricted to one state cannot be an alternative to the BJP. "The Congress is the only viable political alternative for the BJP." "The Congress, under the leadership of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, has been consistent in fighting the BJP. The fight against the BJP needs to be fought unitedly keeping egos aside," he said.