Kolkata : Preferring to be a “humanist than a feminist”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday however said she was not averse to the idea of getting together with Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and her Tamil Nadu counterpart J.Jayalalithaa.
Appearing on FacebookTalksLive – an interactive show, Banerjee came across a variety of questions including the idea of forging an alliance of women power over the federal front mooted by her.
“I have no objection, but you get Mayawati and Jayalalitha together, I will be happy,” was Banerjee’s reply to the idea.
She then went on to add: “I am not a feminist, rather a humanist. While working for the country you need to take along both your brothers and sisters. I can’t say I am a leader of only the Hindus or Muslims or women.
“I may have an agenda but I cannot separate myself from the mainstream,” said Banerjee.
Asserting her party supported the women’s reservation bill, Banerjee blamed the Congress for the legislation not getting passed by parliament.
“We are in favour of the bill, in fact, in Bengal we have given reservation at the grassroots. So it is for the Congress to answer why the bill has not come into existence,” said Banerjee.
Even as she highlighted the “good work” done by her government in the state, Banerjee preferred a “no comments” when asked about her views on the Aam Aadmi Party, Uniform Civil Code and Article 370.
She also dismissed the possibility of social activist Anna Hazare suggesting she forge an alliance with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.
“I have a great respect for him, he is a very sensible man and will never say anything like that,” said Banerjee.
While she refused to give her opinion either about Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi or BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi, she said comparing Gujarat with Bengal was not fair because of demographic and geographical differences.