"What is the credibility of the CPI-M and the people making these allegations? The CPI-M should be the last to talk about corruption," she said when pointed out that the Left has made corruption, especially the 2G and Commonwealth Games scams, a major poll issue.
Coverage: Assembly Elections 2011
"Those who have looted crores of rupees from all corners of Bengal in the last three decades are making wild accusations without any basis. The people will decide who is telling the truth and who is making these desperate allegations less than a few days before they become a big zero," Banerjee said.
"With the blessings of 'Ma, Mati, Manush', when we assume responsibility, all dirty deals and overall financial mess will be looked into," she added, stressing that democracy and people will be the focus of her party.
Asked if the railway ministry would continue to remain with the party in the event of her becoming the chief minister, she replied in the affirmative. "The railway ministry will remain with our party after the elections. So, all projects and plans that were announced will be completed on time," she said....
'Trinamool will bring peace in Darjeeling'
Photographs: Anil Sen
On Congress and Trinamool Congress rebels fighting as independents against the Congress-TC alliance, she said, "The people are making a clear choice in this election. They want us to come to power. They will not waste a single vote in favour of others contesting as rebels."
On tackling the Maoist and Gorkhaland problems, she said, "Development is the answer to all problems. When people have to survive on ant eggs, how will there be no unrest?"
Stressing that her party would bring peace to the Darjeeling hills through talks, Banerjee said, "We will have as many talks as required.
"In the long term, the solution is better opportunities and better facilities for the people of West Bengal. And we will work for that. I have said this before. I will visit both Darjeeling and Junglemahal within 100 days of becoming chief minister."'Buddhadeb only gave Bengal Singur, Nandigram'
"That is the same chief minister who gave us Singur. That is the same chief minister who gave us Nandigram. That is the same chief minister who is now saying sorry for his previous misdeeds. After Singur I do not think the people will believe him if he says that he is pro farmer and pro worker."
On CPI-M's campaign that law and order would deteriorate in the event of the Trinamool Congress and Congress alliance coming to power and that women would not be able to venture out onto the streets, the TC chief said, "This is a regime during whose time innocent girls were raped, mothers lost their sons, daughters their fathers, wives their husbands."
"Netai massacre, Kashipur massacre, Sainbari massacre, the list is long. Thousands of our party workers have been killed. Bengal longs for peace. The people of Bengal know that the shortest way to bring lasting peace is not through the CPI-M). They will only trust the Trinamool Congress. We will definitely ensure that the law and order situation in the state is good," she said.
'Left Front has run up a debt of Rs 2 lakh crore'
Photographs: Reuters
She claimed that the CPM-led Left Front government has run up a debt of about Rs 2 lakh crore and it would pose as a hurdle. "The situation is very bad. They LF government is diverting infrastructure funds to pay salaries. It will be a challenge to correct this, but we will do it. Where there is a will, there is a way," Banerjee said.
"We have our plans for this. But, we will let you know when the time comes. Recently the Centre gave additional funds to save this government. Even then we are in this bad state," she said.
When pointed out that she would be creating history if she could end the 34-year-old Communist regime, Banerjee said, "We have fought this struggle for a long time. In 2001 and 2006 the people expressed their will, but for many years the CPI-M has not even allowed the people to express their will. Even in 2006, very few people in the media supported us."
"But this time, we are certain that the people will give us their complete support again. 294 (the strength of the state Assembly) is the target for us."'We need to bring back the glory of Bengal'
Photographs: Reuters
"We will introduce a four-tier infrastructure, which will reach every district. A Knowledge Mission will be set up to develop and retain talent in Bengal. We will revive agriculture."
The TC chief said that five to 10 farm centres would be set up in each district. "This will help the farmers who cannot hire farming equipment. Subsidies will be provided and priority will be given to the poor farmers and their families.
"We will rehabilitate the PSUs. These are just examples. We have more plans for the state," she said.
Asked what role would 'Ma, Mati, Manush' (mother, earth and people slogan) play in the event of her coming to power, she said, "Ma, mati, Manush will be our guiding principle. We believe in development for all. We will do everything that that we can to take Bengal back to its glorious days."
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