Kolkata: Riding on the development plank, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress today registered a landslide victory in the state assembly polls.
The party is all set to retain power as it was leading, as per the latest trend, in 217 of the 294 seats. The Left and Congress were ahead in 74 seats while the BJP in four.
The results in West Bengal, have catapulted Mamata as a bigger leader in the face if the massive mandate by the people. The next obvious question is her ambitions on the national level.
“I am a very less important person” was Mamata’s indirect response to IndiaTV’s query on whether she harbours hope of a prominent national role in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
“I love my country and my motherland. I am a very less important person… I have served in the Central government in several capacities like Rail Minister, Coal, Youth Affairs… and if it is required I will do it again but as of now I want to work for Bengal,” she replied.
When asked about TMC's equation with BJP, she said, "We have ideological differences with it (BJP) but we will always support it on issues that are beneficial to the people."
Ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 2014, Banerjee had said that she will always remain in Bengal. "Do not worry, I will never leave Bengal, it is my motherland and I will work for Bengal till my last breath," the CM had said.
Today, she also made it clear that her party will support the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha as promised earlier.
Banerjee further said that the new government will take oath on May 27 and that her party will organise a host of cultural events till May 30 to celebrate the victory.
On her future roadmap for West Bengal, Banerjee said she will strictly follow the party manifesto as it is the guiding force.
