Mamata ridicules Sarkar's Modi invite, calls CPI-M, BJP brothers

Ridiculing Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who leads the sole surviving Marxist regime in the country, for inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday dubbed the CPI-M and the BJP as "brothers in arms".

Addressing a party workers meet in North Bengal's Siliguri, Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress chief, hit out at the Narendra Modi led central government accusing it of "fooling and cheating the people of the country."

"The CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) has invited Modi to Tripura. CPI-M, BJP are now brothers in arm. One is the younger brother, the other the older. They are shameless, to the people, they show they can't stand each other but now their cozying with each other is out in the public," she said.

Modi, who was in Tripura to inaugurate a gas-based thermal power project, Monday met Sarkar who had invited the prime minister to address the state cabinet on his favoured theme of good governance.

Continuing her tirade against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led central government, Banerjee claimed the her state was being denied funds under central schemes.

"Delhi has stopped funds under 100 days' work. And is taking away major share of our revenue. The centre is also not paying our due share of funds.

"The centre deregulated prices of fuel. Soon after coming to power, the BJP hiked FDI in railways, defence. There is a limit to fooling people. The centre is cheating people," she said.

Banerjee also ridiculed Modi endorsed Swachh Bharat mission, saying: "We do not pose with brooms before the camera."