Hakim confident of Trinamool coming to power at Centre

Kolkata: Senior Trinamool Congress leader and the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firham Hakim on Thursday asserted that his party is coming to power at the Centre.

In reply to a media question, Hakim said that Trinamool will be a decisive factor behind the formation of the new government at the Centre. He also categorically pointed out that his party will run the Central government.

When asked about Pradesh Congress president Somen Mitra's statement that they have no objection if Trinamool supports Congress in the Centre, Hakim said many parties will seek Trinamool's support after the election results come out.

He hit out at BJP state president Dilip Ghosh, saying that the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state has worked for the well-being of people from all walks of the society. Earlier in the day, Ghosh had said that Muslims are joining BJP in large numbers as both the Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments have failed to do anything for them.

Countering Ghosh's statement, Hakim said: "We are amazed to see that the party that only talks about dividing people on the basis of religion, is now trying to appease the Muslims. He does not know that the Trinamool Congress government has brought socio-economic changes for the people irrespective of their caste, creed and religion."

"People in Amlasol used to feed themselves with ants and boiled roots of trees, who are now getting 35 kg of rice per family. The tribal people in the tea gardens are also getting 35 kg rice per family through rationing system. Schools, colleges and health centres have been set up by the Mamata Banerjee government in Muslim dominated areas. Those who used to put a tag of Muslim appeasement on Banerjee, are now trying to woo the Muslim voters," Hakim said.