Mamata seeks 8216;plum posts8217; to join Vajpayee Govt

Mamata who had earlier stated that only one per cent of the 8220;Bengal package8221; submitted by her for the development of West Bengal was so far implemented, realised that it would be difficult to deliver goods for the state by staying out of the government, party sources indicated.

Refusing to admit that she had budged from her earlier stand, she said 8220;There is no point in accepting a portfolio just for the sake of becoming a Central minister.8221;

Political analysts feel that Mamata is sending senior leader Ajit Panja to New Delhi toascertain which portfolios Vajpayee would offer should it decide to join the ministry.

Party sources however said that Panja is going to the Capital to invite the prime minister to the public rally being organised by Trinamool Congress here on February 10.

According to a section of Trinamool sources, despite softening her stand on joining the ministry Mamata was still hesitant mainly because she was not sure about the stability of the Vajpayee government.

She has to keep in mind the possibility of any future alliance in the case of the fall of the ruling coalition. Another matter worrying her was that if it participated in the ministry the onus of government8217;s failures in various fronts would fall on her party as well.

They say that Trinamool Congress leader was also not happy with the way the 8220;Sangh Parivar was interfering in the functioning of the Central Government.8221;