This Article is From Mar 14, 2012

Highlights - No clue why my party reacted this way: Dinesh Trivedi to NDTV

Highlights - No clue why my party reacted this way: Dinesh Trivedi to NDTV
New Delhi: Dinesh Trivedi to NDTV after his party attacked the hike in fares for rail passengers announced by him today. His party chief, Mamata Banerjee said today that she will not accept this hike in fares. I will try and convince her, Mr Trivedi responded.  Here are the highlights of Mr Trivedi's interview: 

  • Not upset at all...am very happy with my budget
  • MPs across party lines have congratulated me
  • General feeling is very good budget
  • I have done my duty to the best of my ability
  • You can't put on a brave face if you are not brave
  • Country comes first for me, then family and the rest
  • Whether A and B has tweeted, that's not my concern (dig at Derek O'Brien from his party who tweeted that the fare hike is not acceptable to Trinamool Congress)
  • Where is the money for safety?  I don't want to compromise on safety. 
  • Parliament is in session.  Cannot make any comments which will relate to policy decision (on whether rollback is likely)
  • To be fair to Mamata Banerjee, she has never interfered with my work. And I respect her for that.
  • Did not consult my party about railway budget.
  • Did not consult Mamata about fare hike
  • I don't need to consult anybody.  It is left to Railways Minister to decide what needs to be done.
  • Have no clue, don't know why party has reacted in this way 
  • I am not here to keep my chair at any cost...no. I don't care about my job
  • Bhagat Singh went to gallows for the country...what is a job? It is nothing.  It is not permanent
  • If my leader tells me to resign, I will do so.  After all, she has put me here.  You can be good friends and also differ.  I can respect Mamata and also differ with her.
  • I am absolutely a free bird today...if I had not done my duty, I would feel guilt
  • Will leave it to people to decide what is right or wrong. This is a democracy

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