No call from Centre,Mamata took hard decision

At the three-hour meeting today,some MPs reportedly felt that the party should withdraw its ministers while continuing support. But Mamata was learnt to have responded that softening their stand would hit the partys credibility and respect.

All the options were discused withdrawing ministers,withdrawal of support,boycotting Cabinet meetings. Deliberations were also held on a possible package for the people of the state,like increasing the quota of subsidised LPG cylinders and waiver of sales tax on diesel.

Withdrawing ministers from the government but providing support from outside shows double standards which a party of Ma,Mati,Manush cannot have, she said.

Claiming that it was a unanimous decision,Mamata later said: Following withdrawal of support,some people may think what will happen to the Trinamool Congress if it loses the Railway Ministry. I would like to tell them that a ministry hardly matters to our party which has firm belief in the people. Who knows what will emerge after three months.

While her MPs who hold ministerial berths in the Centre,including Mukul Roy,Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Saugata Roy,are learnt to have offered to resign immediately,Mamata reportedly told the meeting that she wanted to test the waters first.

So she has kept a window open till Friday. There is a chance of reconsidering the decision if the Centre withdraws its decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail trade,lowering the price of diesel and withdrawing the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders, said Mamata.