New Delhi:
On a day her party the Trinamool Congress, abstained from voting on the issue of the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) in Parliament, Mamata Banerjee told NDTV that the UPA government has a tendency to bulldoze state governments. But on the crucial issue of a rollback in the railway fare hike, Ms Banerjee said it was the prerogative of the Railway Minister.
That is going to be Mukul Roy, who has been handpicked by the Trinamool Chief, and will be sworn-in on Tuesday.
In a wide ranging interview with NDTV's Group Editor, Barkha Dutt, Mamata Banerjee also spoke about how people in Delhi just don't get regional issues.
Here are the highlights of her interview:
* I do not think this (Dinesh Trivedi's resignation) is an issue for me.
* I just came because for 9 months I did not get the time.
* I have decided whenever Parliament is on, I will come down for a day or two.
* Issue with Congress not a matter of ego; allies must get respect.
* We want to stay with UPA, but only if we get respect.
* Do not consider us like any other political party; we come from the grassroots.
* It's not that we were born with a golden spoon; and our papas were in politics that is why we were suddenly in politics. Our struggle is our history.
* We never asked for any monetary advantage.
* We are the only party not to have a room in Parliament. I feel hurt, our people are sitting in the Central Hall.
* I get more gaalis than izzat.
* Whenever I raise an issue, they (the bigger parties) say we are blackmailing.Its not blackmail, its my ideology.
* I think sometimes the Delhi people do not understand local issues, so there should be some mechanism to sort this out.
* I have a good relation with Soniaji. The Prime Minister is also a nice man. Maybe, there were some communication gaps.
* Congress party has its manifesto; we have our manifesto. There are some issues like FDI, where we will take a stand.
* The Congress creates needless controversies like Lokayukta and NCTC
* We are in favour of Lokpal, but when it was discussed they included the Lokayukta. They should not have included Lokayutka.
* Some issues are created necessarily.
* There is a tendency to bulldoze the state governments.
* The Congress has to stop bulldozing states; its not acceptable.
* Congress trying to play divide and rule with regional parties.
* Like NCTC, if you want to work against terrorism, you have to work together. You have to take the state governments into confidence.
* On NCTC, we thought it was better to abstain. If we voted against the government, it would not look nice; if we voted for then we would go against the federal spirit.
* It should not have been included in the President's address.Unnecessarily, to create a confusion...why have they included it?
* We cannot compromise on some issues.
* NCTC is worse than TADA or POTA; there can be no compromise.
* Law and order is a state issue; I do not care if it is a Congress state or a BJP state.
* Partial rollback is the prerogative of the Rail Minister. I am not going to interfere as the budget is in the Parliament.
* On Rail budget, it was not necessary to hike fares and freight rates together.
* It is not about Rajdhani class; you have to leave 3-tier and sleeper for the common people; these 2-3 areas we have to think over.
* Its customary for the PM to praise the budget. I don't mind that.
* Dinesh Trivedi is with us. In today's meeting also, he said he wants to continue in the party.
* Some people may have played a foul role, I do not know.
* From our side, we are very transparent, we are a very pro-people party.
* I cannot speak good English, but you cannot bulldoze me everyday.
* I consider speaking good English not enough to belong to the 'elite' class.
* Some people think they can silence me because I am not 'elite' like them.
* I know some people have tried to bulldoze me.
* I am not mentioning the name of any party; my ishara should be enough (for the Congress). * There are critics; let them be, they cannot fight me politically.
* I want to continue with respect in the UPA.
* I am happy if I get
izzat from the people. I believe in
Ma, Maati Manush.
* Respect means...if I have an issue, how can I compromise on it?
* I have tried to help this government but I have been misunderstood.
* Sometimes I feel hurt at the way I am treated.
* We are not beggars; we have held our heads high.
* We are facing the legacy of the Left Front rule of 35 years.
* I have spoken to Pranab Mukherjee ten times; what more can I do?
* We have not received the help we need from the Finance Ministry.
* Instead of help, they (Union Government) are taking away Rs 22000 crore. My income is Rs 21000 crore. Why have they not done this earlier?
* We are not asking for money; we need a 3-year moratorium on debt repayment. Why is the government bulldozing us?
* It is not a one-party government. I want to continue with the UPA but with respect.
* In alliance politics, if you trust your partners, you must trust them 100%.