Kolkata will be London in Trinamool rule: Mamata

Kolkata: Although she was instrumental in pushing the Nano out of West Bengal through her sustained agitation, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee promises to turn the coastal tourist resort of Digha into Goa, northern Bengal into Asia's Switzerland and finally Kolkata into an international city like London.

"If Trinamool Congress comes to power, we'll show what is called development. Tell me why East Midnapore's vast coastline, Digha, cannot be turned into Goa? Or northern Bengal cannot be developed like Asia's Switzerland, when we've all resources available in these regions?" Mamata told a press conference in Kolkata.

"Kolkata is an international place and it will be transformed into London, if Trinamool Congress comes to power," added Mamata.

But how can the Trinamool think of coming to power in the state at this time when elections are being held for the Lok Sabha?

"I know this is just a Lok Sabha election. But what I want to say is that in future, if Trinamool comes to power in the state we will give shape to this vision," said Trinamool chief.

"We've great talents (in the state) but the only thing missing here is clear political vision and mission in our ruling Left Front government," she added, while releasing the party's manifesto for the April-May Lok Sabha polls.

"The state has hilly regions, sea, rivers, forests and a vast Sundarbans estuarine belt. Can't the state government bring some economic change using these natural resources?" Mamata asked, adding, "We promise if we come to power, we'll make these happen in West Bengal itself.

The Trinamool manifesto said the party aims at forming a secular, progressive and stable government at the centre which will focus on economic reforms, industries, agricultural development and pro-people policies.

"We want a stable government and thus we are neither with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nor with the newly formed Third Front-led by the communists," Mamata told media persons.

"I appeal to all people of West Bengal to vote for the Trinamool Congress-Congress alliance as it is the only alternative in the state against the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Front government," she added.