Mamata claims West Bengal top performing state, to meet PM tomorrow

KOLKATA: Asserting that West Bengal was the top performing state in the country, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow to seek 'justice', as the opposition Congress and CPI(M) tore into her claims.

"We are not begging. We are not demanding any special package. We are demanding our rightful share. As far as performance is concerned, we are number one in the country," Banerjee told reporters before leaving for Delhi.

"I am going to Delhi to seek justice. We are not going to meet him (Singh) as a partyman, but Manmohan Singh is the prime minister of the country. We want to know why Bengal is deprived. We will also protest against the economic blockade by the Centre," the chief minister said.

Banerjee said, "I have lots of acquaintances in Delhi, but my visit to Delhi is not for a political meeting. It is entirely on the state's financial situation."

Banerjee said that before meeting the Prime Minister, she would meet the Planning Commission tomorrow. "I will submit reports on our performance and achievements on various projects to the Commission," she said.

She said she would also meet Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday. "It is almost two years (of TMC government coming to power). How long should we wait for central funds I will ask the finance minister.