Kolkata, Feb 24 (Inditop.com) Ushering in early Holi by smearing each other with colours, Trinamool Congress workers thronged Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence here and cheered as their leader presented the railway budget Wednesday.
Ardent Trinamool workers were glued to the television sets at the party office adjacent to Banerjee’s residence at Kalighat, clapping in delight, praising her competence while listening to the budget speech.
Banerjee’s ageing mother Gayetri Devi also saw the entire budget speech with rapt attention despite her ailing health.
“I am very happy as didi (Banerjee) has not increased the train fare. I heard she also announced some facilities for cancer patients and reduced the service tax too,” said Paresh Biswas, a Trinamool Congress activist.
He said the 2010 railways budget “truly addressed” the interests of the ‘aam admi’ (common man).
“The pro-people railway budget will immensely help the Trinamool Congress in next year’s West Bengal assembly polls,” Biswas said.
As the speech drew to a close, Trinamool supporters in various southern Kolkata pockets celebrated with sweets and ‘gulal’ (coloured powder).
“Didi’s budget has lived up to our expectations. We hope she will continue to perform as she is doing now in the Congress-UPA government at the centre,” said Laltu Das, a resident of Kalighat area.
Banerjee was earlier the railway minister in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government from October 1999 to March 2001.
She again got the ministry after the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) came to power for the second time last year.
rounak