We need reforms, but not to sell out everything: Mamata

KOLKATA: A day after giving a 72-hour deadline to the Centre to rollback its decision on FDI in multi-brand retail and diesel price hike, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said reforms did not mean "selling out everything".

"Yes, we need reforms. But reform does not mean to sell out everything to satisfy some sections of individuals," the Trinamool Congress chief said in a post on her Facebook page.

"I do not support any decision to sell out everything. This might suit one section of the government," she said.

The Trinamool supremo, known for her stiff opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail, said, "A series of unilateral and anti-people decisions might help in raising Sensex points only for the time being.

"I agree that Sensex must be stable, but at the same time, policy and planning should not be used to impose back-breaking burden on the common people."

She said, "In a democratic set up, reforms must reach the poor and common people and the beauty of democracy lies in realising its responsibility towards the common people."

Noting that developed countries have many social security schemes, she said, "In our country, we do not have elaborate social security schemes or safety valve mechanism for protection of the interest of the common people."

She suggested that if black money was unearthed and brought back from abroad and used for development, "then Sensex will grow in an unparallelled manner."

She vowed, "We are determined to fight for the cause of the common people and we can sacrifice our lives but cannot compromise on it."