Advani, Thackeray praise Mamata for showing courage

Mumbai, Nov 5: BJP leader L K Advani on Nov 4 praised Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for "showing courage" to oppose the petrol price hike.

"I admire her for her boldness. I may not agree with her (Mamata Banerjee) on many issues, but I always respect her for her boldness," said Advani at a public rally in Borivili here during his yatra against corruption.

Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackerey in his address also praised Mamata and admired her courage. "Mahila hai par mard hai (She is a woman but she behaves like a man)," said Thackerey while lashing out at his rival NCP leader and Union Minister Sharad Pawar for not taking on the government on the price rise issue.

"There is no use for such power, if it is not used for the public's concern," he said. Mamata Banerjee, whose Trinamool Congress is a key UPA constituent, today threatened to pull out over the petrol price hike even as it sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before taking "any vital decision".

"We have been silenced and not heard in the Union Cabinet. Our only Cabinet minister Dinesh Trivedi, when he raises any issue concerning the people, is told to keep quiet. We have tolerated so much and adjusted," Banerjee said, adding there was lack of coordination and cooperation in the UPA.

Pointing out that Congress was dependant on support of allies like the Trinamool Congress, NCP and DMK to run the UPA government, she said, "But we are not dependant on Congress."

PTI