Swearing-in,and out: Mamata Delhi trip

The swearing-in of six of her MPs finally saw Mamata Banerjee head for Delhi on Wednesday,but the Union Railway Minister made it clear....

The swearing-in of six of her MPs finally saw Mamata Banerjee head for Delhi on Wednesday,but the Union Railway Minister made it clear that formalities over,all of them would be back in West Bengal to monitor the post-cyclone situation.

Mamata has been here since she was made a Cabinet minister,even taking charge of the Railways from Kolkata,in a break from tradition. Speaking to reporters before leaving for Delhi,she said that while the official purpose of the trip was to attend Thursdays swearing-in ceremony of the Union Council of Ministers,her personal interest was to highlight the plight of the state in the wake of Cyclone Aila.

I spoke with the Prime Minister when he called asking me to attend the swearing-in ceremony. I will take up the situation in the state with the Centre when Im there, she said.

Trinamool MPs Saugata Ray,Dinesh Trivedi,Sisir Adhikari,Sultan Ahmed,Mukul Roy and Chandra Mohan Jatua will take oath as Ministers of State in the UPA Government on Thursday. Soon after that,all Trinamool MPs,including those becoming ministers,will return to their respective constituencies.

Mamata charged that there was no sign of disaster management by the state. Thousands of people are in need of essentials like medicines,ORS,drinking water,baby food. River water has mixed with drinking water. There is a huge possibility of outbreak of enteric diseases. Since three days,many people in the city have been without electricity and water supply. Fallen trees are yet to be cleared, she said.

The Trinamool leader claimed that all efforts till now have been by the Centres disaster management set-up,and that it was her efforts that brought in the Army and paramilitary. She said she was in touch with the Ministries of Defence and Home for air-dropping food,water packets and other relief material. If the Army is the answer,then why not hand over the administration to them as well? she said,adding,However,this is not the time for politics but to help affected people.

Stating that she was not in favour of a special aid package for Bengal,Mamata said what was needed was a special master plan. It will be a mistake to hand over funds to this (Left Front) government. They will digest it all. Very little will reach the people. If monetary aid is to be given,it should go straight to the gram panchayats. All panchayats led by our party are totally involved in the relief and rescue effort.