Dismissing any talk of “bargaining” with the United Progressive Alliance, Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said here on Thursday that her party’s Ministers would submit their resignations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday as announced two days ago.
Her party has also sought an appointment with President Pranab Mukherjee to submit a letter stating its withdrawal of support to the UPA government the same day.
Asked by journalists at the State Secretariat here whether there was any likelihood of her party reconsidering its decision and if she would be going to New Delhi, Ms. Banerjee said, “What, for bargaining?... No, our commitment is to the people.”
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“We have said Friday, and it means Friday. The decision has been taken and they [Trinamool Ministers] will submit their resignations on Friday. The UPA government has taken unrealistic and anti-people decisions in every sector.”
Ms. Banerjee reiterated her opposition to foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector. “They [the Centre] believe that they can drive fear into the people and suppress their voices. But it will be the people who will be suppressing their [the Centre’s] voice,” she said. Ms. Banerjee asked those trying to bring in FDI in retail to face people and seek their mandate.
“Let the people decide. Let the country decide,” she said.
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Hits out at advertisement
Ms. Banerjee criticised the UPA government for an advertisement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum explaining the reasons for the recent hike in diesel prices and restricting the supply of subsidised LPG cylinders.
“Advertisements will not work when people perceive your decisions as wrong,” she said.
Ms. Banerjee also targeted the government on other fronts — from the rise in prices of fertilizers to the recent ethnic clashes in Assam. She alleged that the Centre was set to invest the pension and provident funds in the market.