Advani to the rescue in WB

Trinamool Congress chairman Pankaj Banerjee confirmed that Advani rang up Mamata during the day. He added that nothing could be done about the seat adjustments as his party had already instructed its workers to file nominations in all the 58,460 seats in the three-tier panchayat. He, however, indicated that the issue might be taken up after the last date of filing nominations on April 27.

On the other hand, during his talks with his party8217;s stateleadership, Advani advised them to work unitedly with Trinamool Congress which was supporting the BJP-led Government at the Centre.

State BJP vice-president Muzaffar Khan, who had sought the intervention of the veteran leader, said Advani advised them to fight jointly to defeat the CPI-M in the panchayat poll.

Welcoming the initiative taken by Advani, Khan expressed confidence that the two allies would fight the panchayat polls together to defeat the Left Front and the Congress. Apparently climbing down from their claims on the number of seats, which had fuelled the crisis in the first place, state BJP leaders said they would abide by the directive of the party8217;s central leadership. Advani also called state BJP president Tapan Sikdar 8212; the target of Trinamool8217;s attack 8212; to Delhi for talks on the issue. Sikdar, now in north Bengal, will return here tomorrow.

Banerjee had stated that BJP8217;s demand for seats exceeded its strength in the rural areas. The state BJP chief however categorically deniedit.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee who dismissed the possibility of further talks on seat adjustments, is leaving for Malda tonight.