Cong sides with Trinamool rebels

The Congress today agreed to ally with dissident Trinamool Congress members, who floated a new political outfit on Tuesday, for contesting the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls. An understanding to jointly contest the polls was reached at a meeting between Kolkata Mayor Subrata Mukherjee and three senior Congress leaders — Pranab Mukherjee, Ahmed Patel and Ambika Soni.

The Congress is, however, still divided on the projection of Subrata as the leader of the proposed front. A non-committal Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after the meeting that the issue will be decided later. His bete noire, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, is in favour of the Kolkata Mayor.

In the long run, the Congress would be too happy to take even Mamata under its wings. But first, it has to marginalise Mamata to reduce her bargaining power.

Subrata has plans to rope in three other parties — PDS, SP and NCP — for propping up the front.