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Putting aside all talk of returning to the National Democratic Alliance, Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has unequivocally stated that there was 'no question of her joining the Bhartiya Janata Party-led central government.'
Talking to reporters before the start of an emergency party meeting at the residence of Trinamul MP Sudip Bandopadhyay, Mamata said that her decision to leave the NDA was a 'moral obligation'.
The meeting later endorsed Mamata's stand in leaving the NDA.
She reiterated her party would consider of going back to the NDA only if the government ensured restoration of the PM's dignity and the 'prestige of the armed forces'.
She, however, made it subtly clear that the Trinamul would support neither the NDA nor the Third Front if it came to a vote of confidence in Parliament.
Despite the recent turn of events, , Mamata said that her party had no problem continuing the alliance with the BJP in West Bengal, which goes to the polls in early May.
She, however, came down heavily on the BJP's Bengal leadership for reportedly 'hailing' her exit from the NDA.
She said, "The BJP leadership in West Bengal said it was happy to see the Trinamul leaving the NDA. We don't betray our friends, but can't help if they choose to betray us."
"The present circumstances compelled us to leave the NDA in the larger interests of the people and the country. Ours is a gentle, sober and reasonable party. We are not making any accusations. All we want is total transparency, something we have been a votary of all along."
"I will support a government, which promises to ensure transparency in the functioning of the government. We will not extend our support to either of the alternatives (ruling coalition or the Opposition) if the House votes on this issue," Mamata said.
Mamata added, "We trust the PM. But we were distressed to see that even Friday's meeting failed to evolve a meaningful solution. The government must make sure that no wrong messages are sent to the Indian people. Unfortunately, this has already happened."
Only recently, Mamata had allotted 39 assembly seats to the BJP while releasing the candidates' list of her party in Calcutta.
Mamata said the final decision on any alliance would be taken in a couple of days' time.
The BJP appears to have made up its mind to face the forthcoming elections on its own, which leaves Mamata with only one viable options - strike an alliance with the Congress.
ALSO SEE Cong ready for poll alliance with Trinamul now
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