Aware that the Left, despite suffering a series of electoral setbacks in recent times, could be a formidable adversary since the Congress and ally Trinamool are going into the fray separately this time, the Congressman of all seasons was careful enough to downplay the breakdown of their seat-sharing talks.

“After the civic polls, we can hold talks again. Civic elections are not the last word,” Mukherjee told reporters after holding a series of meetings with the state Congress leaders at his south Kolkata residence.

Describing the Trinamool Congress as a “respected partner” of the UPA government in Delhi, the minister said, “It is unfortunate we are not fighting together against the CPM in the ensuing municipal elections.” Mukherjee, however, steered clear of the blame game. “We tried to forge an alliance for the ensuing civic elections. But it did not work. I am not blaming anyone for this,” he said.

“There is no reason to equate civic polls with Assembly or parliamentary elections, which change governments. Civic polls are local elections and the results of such polls will not have any direct impact on the existence of the state government,” the Congress leader said.

Meanwhile, Mukherjee had to face the ire of a section of Congress workers and leaders while he was presiding over a party workers’ meet at Panihati in North 24-Parganas in the evening.