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Mamata blames some people for creating confusion on Teesta

Speaking at the NDC meet,West Bengal CM answered questions on Maoist,Naxalites,Tinbhiga issue.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday blamed “some people” for creating “confusion” on the Teesta water sharing issue and hoped that cordial ties between India and Bangladesh would continue.

“Some people created confusion on (Teesta water issue)… we maintained the best relations with Bangladesh and I hope India and Bangladesh will work together,” Mamata said on the sidelines of National Development Council meet here.

She also denied having any issues with the Centre over the Tinbigha corridor.

“There is no issue over the Tinbigha with our government. I am not informed about the Tinbigha issue. It is between India and Bangladesh government,” she said when asked whether she is annoyed with the Centre on Tinbigha issue.

While Mamata had declined to be part of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka last month,she was absent during the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s visit to Tinbigha corridor on October 19.

“We also have good relations with Bangladesh so question of differences (on Tinbigha and Teesta) does not arise,” she said.

Asked about her stand on the threat from Maoists,she said she is very much against bloodshed and wants them to join the mainstream.

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“They are our brothers and sisters and they should come forward and join the national mainstream and whatever they want from the government we are willing to discuss. We will give them full package,” she said.

She said the option of discussion should be open in a democracy. We can discuss,we can negotiate,if they listen to us,then it is good. We do not want bloodshed or bloodbath. We do not encourage killings.”

Asked whether Naxalites have changed their stand and are now opposing her government in the state,Banerjee said,“It is not true. Their sister organisations contested elections against us. They contested Parliament elections and also Assembly elections. They boycotted the elections and because of that CPI(M) won some seats.”

She,however,said,“All Naxalites are not bad. There are some good Naxalites who are doing good work. One section does not believe in democracy but it is their prerogative. We want them to come into the national stream.”

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Expressing her readiness for talks,she said,“I am ready for talks but we are against bloodshed or killings. Every drop of blood is important we must sacrifice blood for the country and for humanity. But individual killings will not give any result.”

Disagreeing with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s observation that NDC is useless,she said it is not apolitical platform but one where any state can raise the issue of development.

“This is not a political platform where I can raise my political views. There is a basic difference between a political issue and development issue. I do agree with other states when they raise their developmental issues at the NDC,” she said.

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Tags:
  • Bangladesh Mamata Banerjee Maoist naxalites Teesta water sharing
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