Kolkata, May 17 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday asserted that the Trinamool Congress will play a big role in the Lok Sabha for the welfare of the common man, and said the party will organise thanksgiving events across the state.
Banerjee, also the Trinamool chairperson, met the 34 newly elected Lok Sabha members of her party at her residence.
"Winning 34 out of 42 seats in Bengal is no mean feat, especially when the contest was multi-cornered where besides political parties, a major section of the media and central agencies had lined up against us," Banerjee told media persons.
"We will play a big role in the Lok Sabha for the welfare of the people, who despite all the malicious campaign put their faith in us. We will not take out any victory march. Rather we will organise cultural events in all localities and booths for thanksgiving," she said.
Banerjee said Kolkata North MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay has been elected leader of the Trinamool Parliamentary Party, while Ratna De Nag from Hooghly and first-time MP from Jadavpore Sugata Bose will be the deputy leaders in the Lok Sabha.
Sreerampore MP Kalyan Banerjee will be the chief whip while Rajya Sabha member and party national general secretary Mukul Roy will be the leader of all the elected MPs in both the houses.
The newly-elected MPs are scheduled to leave for New Delhi May 25 for the oath-taking ceremony.