Mamata reaches B'luru for Kumaraswamy swearing-in

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee left for Bengaluru on Tuesday evening to attend the swearing-in ceremony of H D Kumaraswamy scheduled on Wednesday.

Banerjee had earlier congratulated H D Deve Gowda after Congress-JDS collaborated to form the government. It may be recalled that one week before the Karnataka election was held while giving an interview to a vernacular channel; she had predicted that a hung Assembly was likely in Karnataka and Kumaraswamy could become the Chief Minister.

Political experts opined that Banerjee's presence at the swearing-in would strengthen the formation of a Federal Front. Banerjee has said over and again that to strengthen the federal structure of the country, the regional parties should be made more powerful. She has already spoken to Akhilesh Yadav, KCR, Chandrababu Naidu and Mayawati. Banerjee has also said that the Opposition parties should unite to defeat BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Political experts said Banerjee is likely to talk about the Front after the swearing-in ceremony is over.

While leaving Nabanna to board the Bengaluru flight, Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply to a letter written by Anil Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and said: "We respect all Bishops and what they are saying is correct. We have great respect and regard for all communities, castes and creed."

Earlier, Couto had written a letter to all Parish priests and religious institutions in the Archdiocese of Delhi stating that the country is witnessing a turbulent atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution and the secular fabric of the nation.

He wrote, "It is our hallowed practice to pray for our country and its political leaders all the time but all the more so when we approach the general elections. As we look forward towards 2019 when we have a new government, let us begin a prayer campaign for our country from May 13, 2018, which marks the Anniversary of the Apparition of the Blessed Mother at Fatima Consecrating and our nation to the Immaculate Heart."

Banerjee also gave her reaction to the proposed system of recruiting the Civil Servants. "What I have come to know regarding Civil Services placement seems to be a dangerous trend. These days, political recommendations are becoming more important than the merit list through which IAS and IPS officers have been recruited for all these years."

After landing in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister tweeted: "I just landed in Bengaluru to the shocking news about the incident near the Sterlite Tuticorin plant. My thoughts and prayers with the people of Tamil Nadu at this hour of grief. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and hope the injured recover soon."