Banerjee pointed out that five days have passed since the Congress had committed to give its final answer in 48 hours after she held a meeting with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

“We are still waiting (for their confirmation), but we cannot wait forever. Already, our announcement of the candidates has been delayed. However, they are the party in power at the Centre and we must show political courtesy,” Banerjee said. She was flanked by former MLAs Somen Mitra and Sudip Bandopadhyay who had recently ditched the Congress to join the Trinamool.

Indirectly blaming the Congress’s continuing indecision, she said election-related activities such as putting up hoardings and posters have not yet begun while the ruling Left Front has already gone to town with their campaign. She, however, struck a positive note saying the CPM-led Left Front would nevertheless face defeat in the polls as their “time was up”.

“I have been asked in the past by a parliamentary committee to explain the poor condition of Bengal, to which I replied that it was all due to the CPM’s misrule. During this election, the true face of the CPM will be revealed by the voters. I am confident the Opposition will defeat the ruling party this time,” she said.

Congress sources said this was the first time Banerjee was displaying political patience, indicating that she was eager for the alliance. “At present, the Trinamool has only one seat in the Parliament. She is eager to increase the seat count as far as possible to have bargaining capacity at the time of government formation at the Centre,” sources said.