Yashwant Sinha bats for Mamata Banerjee as next Prime Minister

Former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha on Sunday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would make would make a good prime minister.

On the sidelines of an event put up by the Trinamool Congress Cyber Cell, Sinha, referring to the coalition of political parties, said "The whole thing is under consideration as of yet as it is not decided how many parties will join and which coalition. As far as she (Mamata) is concerned, I think she has all the good qualities to make a good prime minister."

He said that West Bengal was one of the largest states as far as the number of seats was concerned, and added that the performance here would have a dramatic impact on the overall numbers. Batting for a coalition government, he said that it could run beautifully if the prime minister had qualities to carry on with all partners.

Coming down heavily upon the Narendra Modi government, Sinha, who had quit the BJP in April this year, said, "None of the promises were met. They have failed on all the promises they have made in the manifesto and other speeches. There is an agrarian distress in the country and people of the country felt cheated."

He drew a parallel between PM Modi's decision of demonetisation and the sultan of Delhi, Mohammed Bin Tughlaq who was infamous for his whimsical decisions. "It was completely a thoughtless action and Mohammed Bin Tughlaq also acted like a thoughtless person. It was a draconian and foolish step which has caused enormous pain to the people of the country and brought no good," he said.

Asked if he would contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, he said, "I have no wish to contest elections this time so far but if the facts were to change dramatically, I don't know."

Again, asked if he would campaign for any political party, he added, "Anyone who approaches me to campaign in the coming Lok Sabha elections against the present government, I will be prepared to do that."

He alleged that the Centre had been interfering with the functions of Central investigating agencies. "It is as clear as daylight. Whichever agency of the government is there, whether CBI, ED, IT, they are all going hammer and tongs against political opponents of this government," he said.