EXCERPTS

Power Politics: To be fair to you, we understand your Bengal obsession. All the same, how would you justify it, as you are now a Union Minister holding a major portfolio, Railways?

Mamata: You are all not kind or fair to me. You cannot tell me that we can work only from the national capital. I am staying in Delhi for maximum number of days. In fact, I feel sad that even after elections and after my people gave me and my party such a good mandate, I have not been able to meet them. Immediately after the results I was in Delhi. I could not thank them. My people are suffering. There's Marxist-sponsored post-poll violence against them just because they voted for us. There was Aila cyclone. I cannot forget my people. I cannot forget 'Ma Maati Manush'. This was our slogan.

PP: I think the trouble started when you categorically said that you and all your Ministers from Trinamul would be concentrating on Bengal. What was the provocation to say that in as many words?

Mamata: Don't confuse things. Please don't discriminate. You do not raise these questions when other ministers do the same and visit their respective states? Please don't create confusion, for God's sake. Rather, you have to appreciate us. I am not here only to attend to the interest of people in the Ministry. I feel sad when you all raise these (matters)

PP: In other words, you are suggesting that Railway work from your end won't be neglected?

Mamata: Never. How can I do it? Nor will any of my colleagues. We are sincere people. We want to serve the people of Bengal and India. I have concern for people from all over the country. We all are Indians first. I am here for my people. I don't believe in working from skyhigh buildings.

PP: There's another criticism in a section of the press and by your detractors that as Trinamul Congress chief you have missed out a good opportunity to take more berths in the Union cabinet as against the DMK. Why did you not take more? You wanted to avoid naming a number two in the party? Is it a good trend?

Mamta: There's nothing wrong in what we did. The issue was discussed in the party forum also earlier before taking a decision. It was only after a thorough discussion that my party authorized me to nominate six MPs as Ministers of State.

We are saying from the very beginning, we are not for bargaining for any portfolios. We want to serve our people and serve sincerely. The move is primarily aimed to ensure that all six Ministers of State have enough time to concentrate on the West Bengal front, which remains Trinamul's principal focus. I told my colleagues and we all agreed that the cabinet ministership also entails additional responsibilities, we have to travel. That way all of us cannot give much time in Bengal. Joining ministry and the decision to have six Ministers of State will prove helpful for the party in the long run. Any way, I told journalists that it's the prerogative of the party leadership and strictly an internal matter of the party.

PP: Now, how would you describe the 2009 mandate from West Bengal? Many call it semi-final for 2011 assembly elections, and the Left lost badly. You must be feeling great?

Mamata: We did better than the Left Front in at least 190 of the 294 assembly segments. So the Left has lost moral ground to continue in office. The CPI (M) vote share in Bengal fell by 5 per cent to 28 from what it was in 2004. The Left has lost the moral ground to continue in office. Now, we have to oust them in 2011.

PP: There's another perception. The party is also often dismissed as getting "extremely personalized" around Mamata Banerjee alone?

Mamata: This is never true for Trinamul Congress. Ours is a worker-based party, wherein each worker is as important as any other leader. But yes, we care for discipline. You won't find unnecessary controversies in our party.

PP: Now, coming to your Railway portfolio, your predecessor Lalu Prasad has taken a free pass for life? Even BJP leader Ram Naik has written a letter to you on the matter?

Mamata: The order was passed on May 19, three days after May 16 election results. It was not in good taste and will be handled accordingly. Yes, I have taken note of the letter from Ram Naik, who is also a former Railway Minister.

PP: There are several other issues. Your predecessor has said that Railways was making huge Rs 90,000 crore profit.

Mamata: We will handle all these in the Budget. We cannot discuss now. On other problems in the Railway Ministry involving passenger facilities and safety, in one of my first meetings with journalists I have taken a number of corrective measures.

There are suggestions on a wide spectrum of issues such as quality of food, punctuality and passenger amenities on trains. There are other matters like poor quality of food being served on trains. I summoned Railway Board member Traffic Sri Prakash and asked him to take note.

On the corporatisation of Rail Yatri Niwas, which has become almost beyond the reach of the "aam passenger", I will look into it.

n fact, there is a need to prepare a 10-year long-term plan as well as short-term one. Tatkal ticket facility also needs to be looked into.