Displaying a new confidence, Banerjee said, “It’s not the alliance which is the most important. What is important is that the people wanted a change and voted for us. In 2005 elections, we had only five municipalities and the Left Front got 60. See where the Left has come down. This has been done not by an alliance but by people.”

The Trinamool chief said her party would form boards in about 50 municipalities while she offered a Hobson’s choice of six boards for the Congress.

“We have won 27 bodies on our own and we hope to form boards in 50 civic bodies across the state. While the Congress has got seven municipalities, they will form boards in another six municipalities. There is no hung board anywhere. This mandate is for the Trinamool Congress with people largely voting for a change,” Banerjee said at her Kalighat residence.

Left with little choice, the Congress seems to have acquiesced. “We have bagged seven municipalities and there are eight other municipalities where we can from boards with the help of the Trinamool Congress. However, things can be settled through talks. We appreciate the gesture shown by Mamata Banerjee who has led the movement against the CPM. We are sure together we will be able to wipe out the Left from the state,” said Congress Legislature Party leader Manas Bhuniya.

Banerjee said she was not in favour of imposition of President’s rule but wanted early polls. “There is no governance anywhere. No file is moving at the Writers’ Building. The central government should come forward to save the people of West Bengal from anarchy. The Election Commission can advance the election by six months. Chidambaram was also of the same opinion,” she said.

The Trinamool chief also said she would set up expert committees for Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Bidhannagar Municipality . “For improvement of service in the railways, I have appointed committees like Sam Pitroda committee and Amit Mitra Committee. Similarly, for the two civic bodies of Kolkata and Bidhannagar, I am keen on hiring people who have expertise,” she said.

On her dream of turning Kolkata into “London”, Banerjee said, “Making the dream happen is possible. Now, we have got the board. Next year, if we can grab power at Writers’ Building, we may plan something new.”

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission will issue notification for forming of the new boards by June 11 and 15 days thereafter, all boards will have to be formed, according to an official of the department of urban development.

New Kolkata Mayor: Wait till June 6, says Mamata
With speculation rife about the new mayor of Kolkata and names of four front-runners doing the rounds, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee today chose to keep her cards close to the chest saying it would be decided at a meeting of newly elected party councillors at Trinamool Bhavan on June 6. Banerjee said the decision on the new mayor of Bidhannagar Municipality would be taken later.