Mamata avoids Sonia,skips Basu function

The Trinamool chief also did not visit the Assembly to pay her last tribute to Basu,sending instead Partho Chatterjee,leader of the Opposition,and some other leaders.

According to party sources,Mamata wanted to send a clear message to Delhi about her unhappiness as her requests for Central intervention in West Bengal law and order have been rejected. She was also annoyed with Congress leaders thronging Kolkata to see Basu.

A number of MLAs and MPs,many from the Opposition parties,lamented the fact that Mamata chose to avoid Sonia,who made a courtesy call on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in his official chamber at the Assembly house.

It was a good opportunity for the two leaders to meet and talk out issues. Moreover,this was a programme meant to pay last respects. It is unbecoming of a leader like Mamata to be deliberately absent, said a senior Congress MLA.