Mamata Banerjee gets Modi's fulsome praise

After cordial meetings with the Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Telangana CMs, Modi said his reply in Parliament on President’s speech on Wednesday that the best practices of different states in development schemes may be emulated by the centre.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not missing any opportunity to reach out to key regional parties who have a crucial role to play in the government’s legislative agenda, especially in the Rajya Sabha.

After cordial meetings with the Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Telangana CMs, Modi said his reply in Parliament on President’s speech on Wednesday that the best practices of different states in development schemes may be emulated by the centre.

He even praised West Bengal CM and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee — his bitter critic — during his speech. “In West Bengal Mamata didi is trying to revive the state from the 35-year long misrule,” Modi said.

Harping on “cooperative federalism” to drive home his agenda of cooperation between the states and the centre, Modi also “welcomed” the Opposition’s concern over the deadline of the schemes like home for all or jobs.

Refusing to engage in one-upmanship with ADMK’s Thambidurai over which state has a better development model, Modi said he would be happy to see states competing with each other on the issue of development.

He specifically mentioned names of SP’s Mulayam Singh Yadav, BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab and AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai at the beginning of his speech.

Modi needs the support of the regional parties in Rajya Sabha as the NDA will remain in minority in the Upper House till at least 2016. The regional satraps too, are looking forward to the centre for financial help.