Mamata charges UPA of sellout, to support no-trust move against govt

New Delhi, Oct 1: Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today lashed out at the Centre alleging that it has "sold out the nation" on FDI and other economic issues. "Bring the CBI against me, throw me into jail. I will not be cowed down. So long as I am alive, I will fight and am ready to lay down my life", thundered the TMC leader at a gathering of supporters at Jantar Mantar. "They (Congress) are asking why Mamata is coming to Delhi. Why? Is Delhi outside India? Every Indian has the right to come to Delhi", said the West Bengal chief minister. Banerjee announced a two-day dharna in Delhi on Nov 19 and 20, an anti-FDI rally in Lucknow on Nov 17, and another rally in Haryana on Nov 2 to protest fuel price hikes. She also hinted at early Lok Sabha polls in March 2013 and said: "I have heard rumours of elections in March next. They (Congress) are saying we will bring the budget and the people will forgive us. They (Congress) may manage one political party or the other. My appeal to all political parties is not to fall prey to the Congress, because it is not going to return to power." Banerjee said, her party would support any move for no-confidence motion against the UPA government in the winter session of parliament. The entire phalanx of Trinamool MPs sat on the stage, alongwith newcomer lesser known TMC leaders from UP, Punjab and Haryana, while the gathering was not upto expectations. Said Mamata: "I deliberately did not bring the crowds from West Bengal. Had I wanted I could have brought 50 lakhs people. Or, I could have booked two special trains to bring my supporters. I wanted the people of Delhi and neighbouring states to come here." "This government has crossed the Lakshman Rekha. The government is no more working for the aam aadmi", said Banerjee. "For the last 3 years in government, we were trying to stop the anti-people decisions. They decided on FDI in retail, hiked diesel prices, drastically cut fertilizer and LPG subsidies, and are now going in for Pension bill. "If you can't give jobs, how can you stop 50 crore people from earning through small shops by allowing FDI in retail? They have sold the entire country. Even, the US govt asked Walmart to source 50 pc of products from within their country, and here, they have waived off even 30 pc mandatory sourcing from India", Banerjee said. "The very people who have brought them to power will now throw them away. The people have now understood their cunningness. The people of India may be hungry and without clothes, but they don't lack courage", the TMC leader said. Banerjee however disapproved of the daylong Bharat Bandh by BJP and Left parties, saying a one-day nationwide bandh leads to fizzling out of the movement. "This government is trying to help out Walmart, but it doesn't want to help out the small traders, shopkeepers, farmers and unemployed youths", she said. Banerjee alleged that the Centre was resorting to vindictive acts, and spreading canards about her. "Grabbing power is not our goal. We want to protect the aam aadmi. We won't allow the country to be sold out", said Banerjee. She also demanded bringing back of offshore black money into India. Earlier, NDA convenor and Janata Dal-United chief Sharad Yadav told the rally, he was ready to join Mamata Banerjee in her fight against FDI in retail. "Mamata is the lioness of Bengal", Yadav said amid applause. "History will take note of her revolt against those who are bent on rendering nearly 25 crore people unemployed". "Even during the Emergency, Indira Gandhi never struck against the aam aadmi. I myself spent four and a half years in jail, but I respect Indiraji despite our differences. She made every Indian proud."