Kolkata, 17 April (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday targeted the Central government, saying her party would support the Women's Reservation Bill, but would oppose it if any other proposal was brought alongside it. She also strongly objected to the issue of delimitation.

Addressing a public meeting at the Dum Dum Central Jail Ground after returning from her North Bengal tour, Banerjee said the dignity of women should not be used as a cover to fulfil other political objectives. She alleged that the Women's Reservation Bill was being used as a means to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats and implement delimitation.

The Chief Minister said West Bengal had already implemented 50 per cent reservation for women in municipalities and panchayats. She claimed that 37 per cent of MPs elected from the state were women. She said she welcomed women's reservation, but would not accept delimitation linked to it.

Banerjee further alleged that delimitation was an attempt to divide the country, claiming there was a plan to reduce the influence of some states while increasing seats in other regions. She said her party would not accept any such move.

Accusing the Centre of misusing agencies, Banerjee said elections are a festival of democracy, but were being turned into a tool of fear and harassment. She alleged that names of voters had been deleted from electoral rolls before elections and opposition leaders were being targeted through central agencies.

She said political battles should be fought in the electoral arena, not through intimidation. Banerjee also indicated that she may take legal steps in the matter.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh