With buzz about Bihar CM Nitish Kumar parting ways with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has raised the pitch for a Federal Front by speaking to both Nitish as well her Odisha counterpart, Naveen Patnaik, on the issue.
“I spoke to Nitish Kumar. Nitishji is in agreement that it would be good if we come together and form a Federal Front. We will all talk (with regional parties) in different states... I also spoke to Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Chief Minister, on the issue over phone today. When we talk again we will decide on where we will meet,” Banerjee said in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Interestingly, all three states are pushing for special treatment from the Centre. While Bihar and Odisha are demanding special category status from the Union government, the TMC-led West Bengal government has been pushing for a bail-out package and moratorium on annual interest paid by the debt-ridden state.