Mamata Banerjee threatens to send Trinamool Congress MPs to BJP-ruled states

Irked by BJP sending two teams of its central leaders to the state over the alleged incidents of violence against its workers, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today threatened to send her MPs to BJP-ruled states if there was any incident there.

"I feel that from now on, if there is any incident in any BJP-ruled state, we will also send a central team Trinamool Congress central team there because it cannot be one-sided," the TMC supremo said here. "They will get just as they do, Tit for tat. We don't want any unnecessary tension, but if BJP thinks that it will indulge in violence by joining hands with the CPI(M) goons, then that cannot be tolerated by a democratic government," she said. "The BJP has sent two teams in one month. I can also do that. I will get my 46 MPs to move around. I will do that in Delhi. Do they want to see to what extent I can go?" a defiant Banerjee posed.

The Trinamool Congress has 34 Lok Sabha MPs and is the fourth largest party in the Lower House, while it has 12 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. "Why are they trying to disturb a state? it is unfortunate. I don't want this," she said while talking to a vernacular news channel. "If the Centre can indulge in non-cooperation with the state, then the state can also choose not to cooperate with the Centre. It will not brook well for anyone. Government and party are different entities," Banerjee said, adding everyone should keep away from vengeance.

She claimed that since the BJP came to power at the Centre, her party was playing a constructive role with regard to development. "I want to say that if you do good work, then it's good, but if we do something bad, then they can oppose, I have no problem with that. If they do anything against communal harmony or indulge in anti-people activity, we will certainly oppose, the chief minister said while reiterating that TMC will play a "very constructive role."