In a surprise move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday extended an olive branch to the Narendra Modi government even as she offered veiled criticism of its recent moves on Jammu and Kashmir. Banerjee, while about travel to Chennai on Tuesday, told mediapersons at the Kolkata Airport that when it came to national integration, “the Trinamool Congress would ensure that the country would be united”. Banerjee even called herself a “patriot”.
“I want to make it clear that when the issue of national integration arises, we are together. So far as the Kashmir issue is concerned, I am neither in favour of the bill and nor against it. So our party did not vote,” Banerjee said, while clarifying why the TMC staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Banerjee said that she opposed the bill presented in the Parliament because she did not like the process by which it was moved in Parliament.
However, making a veiled criticism, Banerjee said the “Abdullahs and Mehooba (Mufti) are not terrorists”. “None of us would think that they are terrorists. So why are they confined? I am opposed to that,” said Banerjee.
TMC leader in the Lok Sabha Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Tuesday made a short speech in the House before walking out. In his speech, Bandyopadhyay said that his party had opposed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation bill. Saugata Roy, a senior MP of the TMC, was also seen opposing the bill and shouting slogans.
A senior TMC leader said the BJP-led government made a grave mistake by not holding any consultation with the opposition parties before pushing for such a historic resolution on Article 370 and bills on Jammu and Kashmir.
Banerjee said she would have preferred if an all-party meeting was held in Kashmir before pushing the bill.
"If it is all necessary, then what was wrong in taking everyone into confidence. Are we not part of the country as well?” Banerjee asked.
Banerjee flew to Chennai to participate in a function organised by DMK chief M.K. Stalin. Stalin, while visiting Kolkata a few months back, had urged Banerjee to attend the function. Banerjee said she had planned well in advance to attend the function organised by Stalin.
