Mamata demands Buddha’s resignation

KOLKATA - After handing West Bengal’s ruling Left an electoral drubbing, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Monday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, saying it was democratic ethics to respect and accept the people’s verdict.

‘The Left is left out from the people. They have lost credibility,’ Banerjee said when asked to comment on speculation that Bhattacharjee had offered to resign after the ruling Left Front’s poor showing in the Lok Sabha polls.

Pressed by reporters on the issue, Banerjee said: ‘I cannot interfere in any party’s internal business.’

To another pointed query whether she wanted Bhattacharjee to put in his papers, she answered: ‘Democratic ethics is to respect and accept the people’s verdict.’

Meanwhile, the Trinamool parliamentary party, which met at Banerjee’s residence during the day, passed a resolution thanking the voters for reposing faith in the party and its allies.

She said once the government formation at the centre was over, the Trinamool MPs will go to their constituencies to visit the homes of the party workers and supporters who had been killed in pre-poll or post-poll violence.

On Wednesday, Trinamool workers will bring out peaceful processions to thank the voters for their support.

On Tuesday, the Trinamool MPs will meet the intellectuals who had rallied behind the party over the last couple of years.

Banerjee said the Trinamool will hold a big rally on July 21 to celebrate its victory.

Of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the Trinamool-Congress-Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) combine got 26, while the Left Front managed 15 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) one.

The Trinamool on its own won 19, Congress won six seats, and SUCI secured one.