TMC invites Cong to join ministry

However, the final decision of the Bengal Congress joining the ministry with the Trinamool has been left to the Congress high command in New Delhi. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who led a delegation to the residence of Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee here after the latter’s arrival from New Delhi, held a close-door meeting for more than an hour.

Emerging after the meet, Mukherjee and Banerjee who jointly addressed the newsmen, said that they had a “fruitful” discussion on ministry making and the joining of the Congress in the ministry. “We’re happy with the discussion here. There’ll be another round of meeting with the high command in New Delhi. And a decision on the Congress joining the Mamata ministry will be taken by the high command,” said Mukherjee. He declined to elaborate whether a difference of opinion on sharing of portfolios cropped up and proved to be a hitch during his talks with Banerjee.

According to the Banerjee who is likely to be sworn in as the new chief minister, a formal invitation has been extended to the Congress for joining the ministry. “I’ve made a personal appeal to Pranabda; I’ll discuss the proposal with the Congress top brass in New Delhi soon and everything will be finalised thereafter,” she said.

Both Mukherjee and Banerjee are likely to fly to New Delhi to cement the alliance early next week. The Congress stated earlier that it would not join the ministry if the Trinamool bags a handsome majority on its own in the assembly poll. It now remains to be seen if the Congress, with a tally of 42, revises its earlier decision.