Mamata drives another nail in West Bengal Left coffin

The jewels in Mamatas crown are the prestigious Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the Bidhannagar (Salt Lake) Municipality. The Trinamool has swept both,winning 95 out of 141 wards in Kolkata,and 16 out of 25 in Salt Lake. This is first time that the Trinamool has won Salt Lake.

I will deliver on my promise and set up a committee of experts involving renowned personalities in Kolkata and Salt Lake who will provide advice on development work, said Mamata.

Of the 1,792 wards in the 81 civic bodies statewide,the Trinamool has won 824,more than what the Left and Congress have together. The results have underscored the trend that has been evident since the Lok Sabha polls a year ago the peoples rejection of the CPM and its allies.

Mamata today repeated her demand for advancing the Assembly polls scheduled for next year: People have given their mandate for change thrice now. One should accept the peoples decision, she said.

The civic poll results,Mamata said,had been a hundred times better than the Lok Sabha results. The people had voted Trinamool not just in Kolkata but also in Left strongholds like West Midnapore,Bankura and Purulia,she said.

The victory in the Lok Sabha elections was easy,since we had an alliance. But this time it was hard because we were alone. This time the fight was against Congress,BJP and the CPM. When everybody left us,the people accepted us.

Asked if she would take the Congresss help in forming boards at municipalities where the Trinamool hasnt got the numbers by itself,Mamata said,We will form the board in 51 municipalities on our own. There are independent candidates and candidates who were supported by us. Talks are on. I tell you we will form the boards on our own.

On an alliance with the Congress for the Assembly elections,she said,Options are open. I always wanted a grand alliance against the CPM in the Assembly elections. But it is their choice. I did not break the alliance.

Mamata stressed she would remain with the Congress in the UPA government at the Centre. I will keep my pledge to the people. Even yesterday I met the Prime Minister, she said.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee did not respond to reporters questions on the results at Writers Buildings this afternoon. The state CPM secretary,however,said the municipal poll results had been marginally better than the Lok Sabha results. The party would scrutinize the verdict and take necessary steps,he said.