Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Setting the stage for fireworks in Parliament on Thursday, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee is expected to reply on the Rail Budget and her controversial remarks on Maoists.
The Opposition has demanded the Union Railway Minister to explain stand on her open support to the home-grown rebels, which is affecting the government’s offensive against the Maoists.
The opposition is likely to disrupt proceedings and demand answers from Mamata on the statements she made during her Lalgarh rally.
Unfazed by criticism, Mamata Banerjee yesterday stuck to her stand that the killing of a top Maoist leader Azad was wrong and welcomed Maoist leader Kishenji`s ceasefire offer saying, all problems should be solved through dialogue.
Speaking to reporters before leaving for Delhi to attend the ongoing Parliament session, Mamata said her remarks on Maoist leader Azad’s death were her own and her party’s, and not of the government.
The Trinamool Congress chief’s remarks came a day after Maoists made a conditional ceasefire offer to the Centre and named Mamata as their choice for the mediator.
Mamata Wednesday said she has seen the media reports about the offer but will have to cross-check and verify them before making her stand clear.
She reiterated her desire for a negotiated solution to the Maoist problem in the country, while saying the political parties should support people’s struggle where genuine.
She however refused to directly react to Maoists’ ceasefire offer, saying it was for the government at the Centre to decide on how to go about Maoists’ offer.
The Railway Minister’s remarks came shortly after the Left alleged a nexus between the TMC and Maoists, referring to Koteshwar Rao’s (Kishenji) comments that Mamata be made a mediator in talks between the government and the Maoists.
