Mamata Banerjee's ministers 'will quit if forced', Congress says let's stick together

Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee's ministers, who met with her in Kolkata this evening, said that though they are ready to resign if forced, they plan to stick with the UPA. "Many channels are saying that Trinamool ministers have submitted resignations to Mamata Banerjee. There isn't an iota of truth in that. Trinamool is a partner in the ruling coalition, UPA. We are the second largest party. We are staying there. If the government doesn't want us, we will have no hesitation in submitting our resignation, but we have not quit," Sudip Bandyopadhyay, senior Trinamool Congress leader, said.

While that threat doesn't sound entirely ferocious, the Congress has also been attempting to make nice. Earlier today, party spokesperson Manish Tewari appealed to Ms Banerjee to support the UPA candidate. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh was also snubbed publicly, partly because he has been critical of Ms Banerjee, describing her as "immature." The party said he does not speak on its behalf. Congress general secretary in charge of West Bengal, Shakeel Ahmed, said that Ms Banerjee is a strong ally. "She was, she is and will always be a strong ally party of UPA."

The estrangement between Ms Banerjee and the Congress, with who she partners in her state and at the Centre, has been provoked by her insistence that former President APJ Abdul Kalam is the right and only choice for President of India. The Congress, backed by other allies, has declared Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as its candidate.

Ms Banerjee's whole-hearted support for Dr Kalam, which included a Facebook campaign, has been cut short by the scientist's announcement today that he will not run against Mr Mukherjee. On Fcebook, Ms Banerjee posted, "I have seen your statement that you are not contesting. This news has hurt all of us deeply." She also said, "Some political parties simply failed the people at this critical moment in responding to the clarion call given by so many common citizens of our nation to stand up for a man of impeccable integrity."

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For all her posturing, Ms Banerjee must know that she has been outplayed. Last week, she stood flanked by Mulayam Sigh Yadav as they rejected Mr Mukherjee for president. Their list of choices included Dr Kalam, former speaker Somnath Chatterjee, and shockingly, the Prime Minister. When the Congress recovered its breath, it took Ms Banerjee to task, accusing her of political and ethical transgressions by suggesting the PM should move on to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Meanwhile, Mr Yadav, known for his political machinations, switched sides and went back to supporting the Congress and Mr Mukherjee.

The Congress has proved that at the Centre, at least, it can withstand her revolt. Ms Banerjee has been shown that should she choose to exit the UPA, Mr Yadav is on stand-by, though he said last week that he will not join the coalition, and prefers to provide external support. In West Bengal, the chief minister does not need the Congress to survive. But the man who she was backing for president has turned her down politely. A promising partnership that could have boosted her power ended in betrayal. This round, unlike so many others, has not gone to her.

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