Stressing the need for the regional parties to work together in their fight against the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today said that she wants Goa elections to be the beginning of the end of the BJP rule in India.
Banerjee today met Goa Forward party chief Vijay Sardesai and held a discussion with him for more than half an hour. The two leaders are believed to have discussed ways in which they can work together in the elections. While Sardesai has shown keenness to form an alliance with the TMC, he is not willing to merge his party into it.
When asked whether she requested Sardesai to merge his party into the TMC, Banerjee said that they have decided to work together to fight the BJP and avoid division of votes. "We want Goa to be the beginning of the end of the BJP rule," she said.
She also blamed the Congress for the BJP and prime minister Narendra Modi becoming more powerful.
Accusing the Congress of failing to recognise the need to come together against the BJP, Banerjee said regional parties are also strong and she would welcome those who are keen to fight the BJP.
“Because Congress cannot decide, the country is suffering. They have had enough opportunities for so many years. Why should the country suffer again? Instead of contesting against the BJP, they contested against me in the Bengal elections. So how do you expect us to give flowers to them?” said Banerjee, in response to a query about the possibility of a tie-up with the Congress.
Apart from Sardesai, Mamata Banerjee also met Sudin and Deepak Dhaulikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. She also met independent legislator Rohan Khaunte. Another independent legislator Prasad Gaonkar, who represents the Sanguem constituency, has already joined hands with the Trinamool Congress.