Mamta Banerjee,the Trinamool chief and Railway Minister,on Tuesday tried to make a point as she skipped the Cabinet meeting but chose to attend the release of the UPA-IIs first-year report card. A day ahead of the results of the crucial West Bengal civic polls,her presence in the UPA-IIs first anniversary show was a message that the Trinamool Congresss links with the Congress were intact despite the recent turbulence in the relationship. However,the Railway Minister tried to play down her absence from the meeting,saying she had some serious job to do rather than attending the Cabinet meeting on Jharkhand. It depends on how serious is the meeting. sometimes the ministers go,sometimes they have some other duty. It is a very casual thing,nothing serious, she said,adding that she did not attend the meeting as it was only for Jharkhand. a very simple meeting. On differences between the Congress and her party,Mamata said,I can assure you that there are no differences between the Trinamool Congress and the government. Some conspiracy is going on against us. This is very unfortunate. There are no differences between the Trinamool Congress and Congress. we are absolutely comfortable. I have great respect for the Prime Minister. Alleging that some people are spreading rumours to create some confusion between the two parties,the Railway Minister said she was part and parcel of the UPA and that attending the UPA anniversary was her first priority,and she had some obligations and duties as an ally.
