Mamata, Panja quit; PM rejects resignations

CALCUTTA, SEPT 30: In a dramatic move, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar ...

CALCUTTA, SEPT 30: In a dramatic move, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja of Trinamool Congress today resigned from the Vajpayee Government at the Centre, in protest against the hike in prices of petroleum products — with West Bengal scheduled to have Assembly polls early next year.

However, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee rejected their resignations, a spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi said, adding they were being persuaded to withdraw their resignations.

Mamata faxed the resignation letters to the Prime minister this evening, despite announcing earlier that she would wait for three days for the Government to roll back the price hike.

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The firebrand Trinamool Congress leader told newsmen at her residence that“either they have to withdraw or we will withdraw”. “We cannot accept the price hike which will affect the common people. It is not possible for us to continue in this government,” she said.

Mamata said she had requested Petroleum Minister Ram Naik not to take any decision which would affect the common man. “The prices were hiked at midnight without consulting us. But we cannot remain as spectators. This is too much for us,” she said.

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