UPA anti-poor, PM never contacted me: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a renewed offensive against the UPA government saying that its policies were anti-poor and exploitative. "Who says the poor can survive on six LPG cylinders? The poor are dieting then, not eating," Mamata said, in reference to the cap introduced by the government on subsidised LPG cylinders.

"Superhumans don't need anything. They can survive on six cylinders. We need at least 24 cylinders," she said.

The West Bengal Chief Minister further accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of spreading misinformation and claiming that a message had been sent to her. She said that she had not received any message from the PM.

"Reforms must reach the people. It comes from grassroots, it is for the country and its people. The farmers are not being able to cultivate thanks to 75 per cent hike in fertiliser prices. The UPA government is so anti-farmer, it has burdened the farmer with taxes," Mamata added.

Stressing that the TMC would not allow the FDI bill to be passed in Parliament, Mamata said that the TMC would now take the battle to the streets, organising a rally every day.

"The Centre has been drawing money from our coffers as well. Nobody is as poor as West Bengal. The state is immersed in major debt totalling Rs 2000 crore," Mamata fumed. She, however, added that she would not allow any bandh in West Bengal. "I do not believe in bandh politics. It is no solution," she said.

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