Kolkata: Kolkata Mayor-elect Firhad Hakim on Friday pinned hope on a change in power at the Centre in the Lok Sabha elections to receive the Central funds for the development of the city.
Taking a dig at the Modi government Mr Hakim said, “As an urban development minister I earlier applied for funds under the JNNURM. The funds, although sanctioned, were not released. I want to renew the effort for that.”
“Few months later, a new government will come to power at the Centre. I believe it will be a secular government. We will get help from that government. We are not getting any help under the JNNURM. No assistance comes from Namami Ganga scheme. I do not know the function of Niti Ayog. We earlier used to place our demands to the Planning Commission which was set up by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose,” he added.
Training guns on the NDA rule, Mr Hakim said, “The present scenario is such that the Central government does not even know of its policies. So the new government which will come to power will be based on reality. We will also approach it for funds for major projects like a proper drainage systems which was funded by the JNNURM but it came to a halt later.”
“Once the new government comes to power, we will place our demand for grants to the Planning Commission which I think will be revived. We will send our big projects. I hope that I will get the help. It will be easier to work then. Appealing for grants from the present central government will be a foolish act. I will work with the blessings of chief minister Mamata Banerjee,” he added.
Mr Hakim however praised his predecessor Sovan Chatterjee for his performance. “It can not be denied that Mr Chatterjee performed well. As a mayor he did his job efficiently. I will take forward the flow of his development work.” He also hoped that Mr Chatterjee would soon come out of his personal problems and would return to mainstream politics.
In a surprising move, Mr Chatterjee’s estranged wife Ratna met Mr Hakim at his residence and congratulated him for his new role. She later said, “Bobbyda will succeed.”
During the day, Mr Hakim, who is also the new fire and emergency services minister, held a meeting with director-general (fire) Jag Mohan.
