Upbeat Mamata Banerjee seeks early assembly polls in West Bengal

Inflicting a humiliating defeat on the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the civic elections in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today demanded advancing of the 2011 assembly elections and said she favoured a 'grand alliance' for it.

"I have faith on the Congress leadership. I want to keep up relations with the UPA government," she told a press conference here.

The alliance between the two parties had floundered over the elections to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, which was held along with 80 other civic bodies on Sunday and the results of which were declared today.

Asked about alliance with the Congress for the assembly elections, she said, "I can't say anything about tomorrow. I am not a political astrologer. I am always open for alliance. I am in favour of a mahajote (grand alliance). Let us see what happens."

"Elections can be held within six months (from the scheduled date). "The CPI(M) has lost all right to continue in power. Assembly elections should be held immediately.

"As per the Constitution, the matter comes under the Election Commission six months prior to elections. Since assembly elections are due in some states in October, it can decide that those in West Bengal can be held along with it. I have calculated six months from May (when the assembly election is due)," she said.

Stating that Lok Sabha elections had given signs that CPI(M) could be defeated, Banerjee said, "in the LS polls, it was easier for us because we fought in alliance (with Congress).

Taking a swipe at Congress over the failed alliance for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections, she said, "But in this election, we had to fight the CPI(M), Congress and BJP."

Without naming the Congress, she said, "We did not break the alliance. Someone has broken it. Yet, our performance was hundred times better."

She said the CPI(M) had earlier lost 10 assembly by-elections and won only 16 municipalities out of 81 in the civic polls. "They should accept people's verdict."

She said there was no change in the state in the last 34 years as the "people were not allowed to vote. We fought a hard battle in which many of our workers were killed. Politics is a struggle. The people have seen our struggle. It is a marvellous victory".

Banerjee attributed her party's victory to the 'ma-mati-manush' (mother, land and people) slogan for change in the state. "People have given a verdict in favour of political change in the state. I salute the people."