West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday warned that she would go on the warpath if the Centre did not accept within 15 days her demand for a three-year moratorium on interest payments against loans taken by the state government.
“So far our approach had been that of avedan-nivedan (request and appeal) but now we are losing patience. There is a clear attempt to cripple the state so that it cannot function. We will not tolerate this. This is now going to be a major issue,” the chief minister said.
Ms Banerjee pointed out that there had been about 50 meetings with the Union finance minister, but to no avail. “We will wait for another 15 days and then I will personally take up the issue with the Prime Minister,” she said, adopting a belligerent posture. “We have demonstrated the utmost patience but enough is enough,” she said, suggesting she was ready for a showdown with the Centre.
“We had not taken these loans. This is a legacy we have inherited from the previous Left Front government. What is our crime,” Ms Banerjee said.
The Congress, meanwhile, downplayed the issue, maintaining: “Every CM or state has some legitimate expectations and aspirations and wants the best possible for his or her state.” Responding to queries, AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “If Ms Banerjee has certain issues, demands and aspirations with the Central government, I am sure the government will interlocute with her and see how the development imperatives of the state can be addressed under the constitutional framework.” Mr Tewari, however, declined to accept that Ms Banerjee’s insistence was a threat.
Ms Banerjee expressed strong resentment over the annual deduction of `22,000 crore.