Narendra Modi becoming PM is fantasy: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata, April 15:

becoming Prime Minister is a "fantasy",

Chief Minister

today said while dismissing any comparisons with her state and

as a comparison between a rich, privileged child and an undernourished, neglected one.

The Trinamool Congress chief also said that a Federal Front government will be formed after the elections. "His (Modi) becoming a Prime Minister is a fantasy. So, I don't need to answer this hypothetical question," Banerjee told PTI in an interview here when asked whether she expected better financial treatment in the event of Modi becoming the Prime Minister.

"The Federal Front is the future. A Federal Front government will be formed after the elections," Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress chief, said. "Bengal does not need to go with a begging bowl. We are only asking for what is due to us.

The demand for moratorium is not new. Even before 2011 elections the Prime Minister had promised to restructure Bengal's burden created by three decades of Left rule," Banerjee said.

"I and my finance minister had so many meetings, but they did not do anything. They did not keep their promise." On comparison of Gujarat with West Bengal, the West Bengal Chief Minister said "Comparing Gujarat with Bengal is like is like comparing a rich, privileged child and an undernourished, neglected one.

"Some people are talking about the Gujarat model. I must tell you there cannot be any comparison ... Gujarat has been developing even before the current Chief Minister. In fact, the growth rate of Gujarat declined during his tenure."

Banerjee said she had a lot of love for the people of Gujarat. "Look at our population density and compare.They have 19 ports, we have only two. Even then Bengal model is far better," she said.

Asked how different her approach was from Congress on protecting the rights of minorities, she listed 57 lakh scholarships to minority students and Urdu medium schools.

PTI