Will seek urgent discussion on China in Rajya Sabha : Mamata

KOLKATA; The Trinamool Congress has decided to launch an “all-out fight” against the Modi government in the monsoon session of Parliament and corner it over its alleged “failures” in dealing with issues like the Darjeeling crisis, standoff with China and GST.

The decision was taken by the TMC parliamentary party at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The meeting, which was held to chalk out the party’s strategy for the monsoon session of Parliament, was also attended by TMC Lok Sabha parliamentary party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay.

Banerjee while briefing the media on the meeting said, “We will play an aggressive role in Parliament. We are ready to go to jail but will not bow our heads.”

During the meeting, she gave “clear instructions to go for an all-out fight against the Modi government for failing to tackle major issues which are a matter of concern for the internal and external security of the country”.

TMC has submitted a notice which asks for all other business of the Upper House of the Parliament to be suspended, pointing out that it is vulnerable geographically to the border dispute which lies at the “Chicken’s Neck” - a thin wedge of land just 23 km at its widest that links mainland India to the seven northeastern states.

Speaking at the West Bengal Assembly after casting her vote in Monday’s election for President of India, Banerjee said, “If Sikkim goes under Chinese control -- and there is no difference between Sikkim and Darjeeling...then because of the mistake of the centre, because of its failure of diplomacy, the way the relations have deteriorated with China, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan...we are the worst sufferers. We have been sandwiched.”

Accusing BJP of its failure to gather intelligence in the border she said over 400 schools are operating on the Indonepal border where the students being taught the Chinese language by for quite some time. But the Central Intelligence did not have any information. “What is the IB is doing?

She alleged that BSF had helped the “outsiders” from Satkhira in Bangladesh to enter north 24 Parganas and create trouble. However, the trouble was brought under control due to our timely intervention,” she said adding “Who guards the border and why were outsiders allowed to enter Bengal. What are NIA or RAW doing?” she questioned.