Mamata pushes for formation of regional parties' front

New Delhi, Sept 26: Weeks after parting ways with

, Trinamool Congress chief

pushed for the formation of a front of regional parties, saying the country should "run from different parts" of the country.

She contended that the Manmohan Singh dispensation has lost "moral right and democratic right" to rule and said political parties should decide on bringing down the "very arrogant" government. "This government never consulted any matter with any alliance partner. Whatever they do, they do it quietly. This may be a stable government in the Congress eye, but it's not a safe and sound government," Banerjee told CNN-IBN.

On bringing down the UPA dispensation, she replied, "This government is very arrogant. I think all the political parties should decide. In the Parliament, it depends on numbers." Asked about the possibility of formation of a Regional Federal Front, she said, "I will be happy to do it."

She said, "If the regional Chief Ministers can sit together for the future of the country, I will be very happy. That's the best for the country. India should run from different parts of the country....we have already decided on Federal Front. I think states should be more powerful."

The Trinamool supremo said if Chief Ministers could "sit together" before the next general elections, "I will be very happy to see that." Attacking the UPA government, she said, "It's stable for corruption, by corruption and of corruption. It's not stable from the view point of the public."

The West Bengal Chief Minister alleged that the UPA government had tried to "suppress everything" from "coalgate" (coal block allocation issue) to FDI in retail. "We never said anything because after Lok Sabha election we had promised that we will continue for five years. We tried our best. But it was disastrous. I can't keep quiet all the time," she said, justifying withdrawal of her party's support.

Banerjee accused the Congress of 'using money power, muscle power and mafia power' to keep parties with it. "In a democratic country like ours, why should I be afraid of the CBI or the Central government misusing its power if I take a decision? The Centre must not behave like this and the state parties have to be very careful," she said.

She further alleged, "They used to misuse their power like anything. It's not only now but from the beginning."

"When we were elected in 2009 after Parliamentary election, I once called a meeting of all our elected MPs. When Dada (Pranab Mukherjee) was the Finance Minister, I asked him one thing : 'Dada you have asked CBI to go through the files of all our MPs, have you found anything?' They had no answer," Banerjee said.

Asked whether she would bring a resolution against FDI in retail, she said, "I've not threatened anybody. Now, the (Trinamool) political party will decide. I've not yet taken a decision, as we have not discussed this matter. The party will take a decision on this matter. Without talking to our MPs and other political parties, I can't decide."

On whether she was hopeful of Samajwadi Party supporting a resolution against FDI in retail, she replied, "Let's see. I will talk to them...whether they agree or not. If they agree, it's OK. If they agree and tomorrow don't support, that should not be. They should take a stand whatever may come, then we will do it."

PTI