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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hinted at the possibility of supporting LK Advani if his name is proposed for President.
“I respect Advani ji ,” she said, during an interview to a private news channel.
Asked if she would support the former Deputy Prime Minister if he is nominated by the BJP, Banerjee said: “It is too early to speculate on the Presidential election. Pranab Mukherjee’s name might come up for a second term too. We will take a call once names are proposed.”
Apart from Advani, Banerjee claimed to have cordial relations with senior BJP ministers Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh.
‘Anti-BJP front’Banerjee is still clueless about the reasons behind the BJP’s massive win in UP. She, however, said it would be too early to predict doom for regional parties.
She reiterated her call for a united anti-BJP Opposition to prevent division of votes. According to Banerjee, Opposition parties should fight it out together in their strongholds rather than fighting with one another.
“(It is) too early to write-off regional parties. There is enough time for Lok Sabha polls,” she added.
‘A different ball game’According to Banerjee, Bengal was a different scenario and however excited BJP is, they are yet to form a foothold of significance in the State.
The CM alleged that the BJP was trying to incite violence and riots in the State. “BJP should first save Madhya Pradesh and then target Bengal. If they target Bengal, we will target India and have candidates in all States,” the Chief Minister said.
The Narada sting operation – which saw several Trinamool Congress leaders allegedly take bribes – was a “political conspiracy” by the BJP. “Our money has been accounted for with the Election Commision,” she maintained.
On doctors, hospitalsBanerjee on her part maintained that she was not against private hospital or doctors. But was against the “irrational billing system” that a “handful” of such private players have adopted.
“We are not against private hospitals. But, we must act when some of them force patients to submit their FD papers for treatment. Ninety per cent of the doctors are good and I respect their hard work.”
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