Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday hit out at the Centre over its plan to privatise Air India.

Amid reports that the Centre has cleared disinvestment in the national carrier, Banerjee said, “Air India is the pride of the country; a plan is being made to sell it off. We do not support such an action.”

“We are not like the CPI (M) or BJP, who are happy to take away jobs of the people. The Centre is gradually selling off the railways; civil aviation will follow. The people are not getting to know the real story,” she added.

While recalling her days as the railway minister, she said, “I saved Burn Standard Company Limited (a PSU under Railways Ministry engaged in manufacturing railway wagon with its headquartered in Kolkata). Now plans are being made to shift the offices of Burn Standard and the Tea Board of India.”

“We will protest against injustice. Political parties are not saying anything because of fear. The BJP has muted the voice of the media. There is dictatorship in the country. We will break this shield of conspiracy to pieces,” she said.

On Darjeeling and Kashmir issues, she said, “The Centre is not able to solve the Kashmir issue; it has been a total failure. Now, it is poking its fingers in the Darjeeling issue, and teaching the separatists to break the state of Bengal. I will not let them break Bengal up till the last breath of my life. The Centre’s torture is going on and will go on. But those who live in Bengal will not bow their heads in fear.”

“The Centre has always given Bengal the short shrift, has always exploited, deceived and conspired against the state. Whatever conspiracy they may hatch, we will stand united; we will never shelter communal forces,” she added.