This Article is From May 18, 2010

Why should I go to Delhi, asks Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata:
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Railway Minster Mamata Banerjee, who came under attack from the Opposition for being missing in action as a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station saw two being killed and eight injured has hit back.

The Minister has questioned why she should stay in the Capital, as it's not her home and even Parliament is not on.

"They are asking me why don't you stay in Delhi? I said why should I go to Delhi? Is dilli ka laddu my house? Parliament is not on. I have no work no work in Delhi. Why should I go there? The CPM is trying to push me to Delhi. But I will stay in Bengal. India is my birth place and Bengal is my motherland. I will live in Bengal as long as I live," she said.

Though it must be noted even when Parliament was on, the minister was often missing. This was pointed out by the Opposition during the train drivers' strike in Mumbai recently.

A woman and a child died and eight others were injured in a stampede at the New Delhi railway station on Sunday that was triggered after a last minute change of platform of a Patna-bound train.

Following the incident, the Railway Minister, who was in Kolkata, ordered an inquiry into the stampede and announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.

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