PM-Mamata meeting better late than never: Mukul Roy

Says industrialsation in the state is not taking place in true sense

Stating West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was 'better late than never', former TMC general secretary Mukul Roy today said industrialsation in the state was not taking place in true sense.

"However we may try to compare West Bengal with other states quoting GDP, industrialisation is not taking place (in Bengal) in the true sense. Funds are also required for the state's development," Roy, who was removed from the post of TMC all India general secretary, said reacting to Banerjee's meeting with the PM during the day in the national capital.

Roy, till recently the most trusted lieutenant of Banerjee, the TMC supremo, said "Modi did not just walk in to become the Prime Minister, he has got a mandate from the people of the country. The CM's meeting with him is a good sign. In a federal structure, this is the system. But nine months have passed. However, it is better late than never".

He further said "the (present) state government had assumed office inheriting financial burden. This can be mitigated by the Centre. If it is not mitigated, the loser would be the people of Bengal who had given mandate (to TMC) for the development of the state. If she(Banerjee) manages to get something, it will benefit the state." "It is not a question of which political party you belong to, it is a question of Centre-state relation," he said adding there should be healthy relationship between the state and the Centre in the interest of the state.