Modi govt bulldozing federal structure: Mamata

Kolkata, Aug 20 (PTI) Launching a frontal attack on theNarendra Modi government, West Bengal Chief Minister MamataBanerjee today accused it of bulldozing the federal structurein the country and said she would seek the President’s opinionon the issue. "Modi government is bulldozing the federal structure andviolating Constitution. It is interfering in the functioningof the state governments. We will seek the opinion of thePresident," Banerjee told reporters at the ‘Nabanna’, thestate secretariat. The state government, she said, received a letter fromthe Centre during the day saying that centrally-sponsoredschemes are being rationalised. "This is being done by force without taking the statesinto confidence … They talk about cooperative federalism. Idon’t know what is cooperative federalism. "If they interfere into the functioning of the states,there is no meaning of the existence of the state governments.It is a very serious matter," she said. "Narendra Modi is running dictatorship. The people ofthe country have lost freedom under Modi. "They (BJP) are trying to start a Presidential form ofgovernment knowing that they will not win next time," theChief Minister claimed. Banerjee said the central government should have onlyfour ministries – Defence, External Affairs, Railways andFinance. PTI NIK SUN KKIKA