West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended an olive branch to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday by speaking of the need for cooperation between the Centre and West Bengal government. She however, had a word of caution for the PM as she said one election did not make the life of a politician.
The CM was speaking at an event organised to mark Farmers' Day in Kolkata.
Her views came just two days after the BJP managed to grab power in four of the five states that went to polls recently. Without naming the PM, Mamata said, “I want that the Centre and state government work together and think of improving the lives of people. Elections will come and go. Not all would be in power forever. Whatever might be the political ideology, our agenda is same—to work for people.”
This is the first time the firebrand politician of West Bengal talked about mutual cooperation between Centre and the state.
Mamata, however, cautioned her political opponent not to be complacent. “Remember one election does not make the political life of someone,” she said, adding that in order for the state and the Centre and state governments to work in tandem to improve the lives of people, one should not mistreat the other.
She said said she had opposed the government on Aadhar card and many other issues as she had valid reasons to do so. “How could someone make Adhar mandatory for little children? Won’t I protest for that?”.
She however, signed off on a defiant note. “But don’t put pressure on us. Don’t put pressure us or threaten us. Don’t forget that Indian freedom movement began in Bengal.”
