Have respect for real chowkidars: Mamata
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said she has respect for "real chowkidars" but not the political ones.
"I have respect for the real chowkidars who used to guard the areas but now there are political chowkidars for whom I have no respect. Everyone has become a chowkidar now," she said, adding: "despite all the drama, Narendra Modi will not be able to make a comeback in the ensuing Lok sabha election."
"BJP has become a two men party," she said. The Chief Minister said she had called up Lal Krishna Advani on Wednesday morning and inquired about his health and exchanged greetings.
"I have known him for many years. I have worked with him. Is it the way to show respect to a man who is one of the founders of BJP?" she said.
"Murli Monohar Joshi ji was also dropped. I also feel for the wife of Anantkumar. She was denied ticket for the Lok Sabha election as well," Banerjee added.
She alleged that K K Sharma, who has been appointed as the police observer for Bengal and Jharkhand, is close to the RSS. Trinamool has drawn the attention of the Election Commission of India to the matter. She said Trinamool Congress has already lodged a complaint against R K Mitra, a retired Joint Secretary of the Home ministry, for his alleged involvement in the deputation of Central forces.
"I have respect for the ECI. But if these people are deputed then the impartiality of ECI will be put in doubt," the Trinamool supremo said.
Asked how United India would address the Kashmir problem, she said: "The people of Kashmir should be taken into confidence and there should be development of the area. If allowed, I may stay at Kashmir and talk to the people to resolve the problems."
She said earlier there were problems in Jangalmahal and Darjeeling, but "Because of massive development work, peace has been restored in both the areas."
Criticising Narendra Modi, she said it is really amazing that he did not call any press conference in the past five years. "There should be a national debate on important issues where Modi and an Opposition leader should take part," she said.
Calling Arun Jaitley a "relay man," she said: "He is coming and going and often saying things without sense. He told that Mamata ji wants to stall the nuclear policy. I have not said anything of that sort. I really do not understand why a person like him is trying to grease Modi's palms."
