Mamata Front will take some time: TMC leaders

Party says many ifs and buts

After mooting the idea of formation of a 'Federal Front' at the national level, Trinamool Congress expects positive response from political outfits which had rallied behind Mamata Banerjee when she blocked the UPA II's several moves, like setting up of a National Counter Terrorism Centre, terming them as an attempt to infringe on the country's federal structure.

TMC leaders say that though it is premature to say whether Federal Front will take a final shape or not because there are several "ifs and buts" pertaining to the issue, Mamata has floated the idea to spread her agitation beyond Bengal and to "know the pulse of anti-BJP, anti-Congress and anti-CPM parties".

Addressing a rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the Centre's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail trade, Mamata on Monday spoke about the formation of Federal Front at the national level to keep the country's federal structure intact.

"Our party will hold discussions with the regional parties, both in power and in the opposition, in several states to materialise the concept of Federal Front. The outfits which are against the BJP, Congress and CPM will be consulted. For example, we can speak to Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik, AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa," said party MP Sultan Ahmed, adding that the main objective of the Front will be to keep the "Congress, BJP and CPM at bay". "The idea will, of course, not matarialise soon. Let all the like-minded parties come together to start a joint movement on common issues like attack on the country's federal structure, communalism," he said.

When asked why the TMC expects the JD(U) to severe ties with the BJP-led NDA, Ahmed replied: "They may be in the NDA but they have an independent identity and this is why there is a possibility of a split in the NDA."

... contd.

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