I will remain like a tiger cub: Mamata in new attack against UPA

With the six Trinamool Congress Union ministers handing over their resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, party supremo Mamata Banerjee stepped up her barbs against the Congress-led UPA regime saying notifying FDI in multi-brand by a 'minority' government was 'unethical and undemocratic'.

"Without consulting anyone the decision on FDI was taken. Notifying FDI by the minority government is undemocratic and unethical. This cannot be done by force," Banerjee told a meeting here in North 24 Parganas district.

Apparently referring to Congress, Banerjee said, "don't try to browbeat or intimidate us. Nothing can stop or scare me. I don't have money but I don't care. I will continue to speak for the people's interests whatsover threat may come.

"What we say, we implement. A day will come when I will be no more on this earth. Many attempts were made to kill me. But till I remain alive, I will remain like a tiger cub," she said.

"What Bengal could achieve they have little idea. Bengal is the land of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, Rabidranath Tagore and Nazrul Islam. It is a land of culture and sacrifice. Bengal will show the way to the entire country," the Trinamool chief said.

Referring to the capping of subsidised LPG cylinders, Banerjee said, "Your kitchen will be on fire, will you tolerate it?"

Stating that her party was fighting to protect the interests of the people and 'Ma-Mati-Manush', she said "We don't want alms. Bengal can stand on its own. India will see the fight of the people of Bengal. We will win."

Claiming that FDI in multi-brand retail would take away the livelihood of crores of people engaged in small businesses and hit the farmers' market, she said "Everything will be taken away. Will you swallow this or fight?"

"Whether you cultivate chili they will decide. New shopping malls will come up. If they tell you to eat, you will eat. Do you remember GATT? This is the grandfather of GATT."

Referring to foreign retail giants which would come to India, she said "uncle, dunkel will come and they will become twinkle, twinkle and you will be nowhere in the picture."

Banerjee, in an apparent reference to the six TMC ministers quitting the UPA government, said was not running after power.

"Mamata does not want positions. We want to remain with the people," she said.

She also accused the Centre of not paying heed to the country-wide protests against FDI in retail.

The TMC chief had yesterday cited a statement by former Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha on December 7, in which he had reportedly said the decision on FDI in retail would be taken after consensus.