Don't need GJM support in Bengal polls: Mamata

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday said her party had not sought the support of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha in coming state assembly elections and she was against a division of West Bengal.

"I did not have any talks with them GJM. They announced this unilaterally. They are with BJP and this seems to be a game planted by CPM", she told a Bengali TV channel reacting to GJM chief Bimal Gurung's announcement on Thursday to support Trinamool Congress and Congress candidates in Terai and Dooars in North Bengal.

"I am against the division of Bengal. I have already said this during my last visit to Darjeeling", she said.

Referring to the Left's allegation about her party's links with Maoists, Banerjee, the Railway Minister, said she would resign if this could be proved. "It is CPM which has imported the Maoists to the state. CPM has misused the joint forces in Junglemahal. Chidambaram (Union Home Minister) has understood this. But he understood it late."

She said CPM's campaign against her in the election on the issues of price rise and corruption because of her being part of the UPA government would not work.

"We do not acknowledge corruption", she said. Referring to the 2G spectrum scam, she said "whatever happened was in 2007 when CPM was providing outside support to the first UPA government.

To a question, she said Congress rebels in Bengal who were sore over seat-sharing with TMC would not impact the outcome of the polls since votes would be polarised between those who wanted change and those who did not.

"We will get two-thirds majority and the Marxists will be a big zero this time from Junglemahal belt," she predicted.

Mamata alleged phones of party leaders were being tapped at the behest of chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee.

On the land acquisition issue, she said a new policy would be drafted. Industrialists should directly purchase 100 per cent of land and the state may go for 10 per cent in only exceptional cases." Mamata said.

Mamata hinted at keeping the Home portfolio, along with chief ministership, in the event of Trinamool coming to power. Mamata accused the outgoing Assembly Speaker H A Halim of being partisan and vindictive towards the opposition members.

"The present Speaker is a state committee member of CPM. But if we come to power, the Speaker will not hold any party post to ensure neutrality of job," she said.

She said if TMC-Congress alliance comes to power, a panel of experts would be formed to scrutinise every case involving political prisoners but no murder accused would be let off.

"But the cases relating to the Maoists are different and the Centre has enacted laws in this regard", she said.

To a question, Mamata hinted at a joint campaign with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "On the last day of discussions on railway budget, Manmohanji had told me we would be meeting in Kolkata next time. I am hopeful about a joint meeting with the PM," she said.

She also welcomed Congress President Sonia Gandhi and AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's expected visit to poll-bound Bengal. "It would be a good thing," Mamata said.