Trinmaool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee told newsmen here that Bhattacharya, a former MP from Tamluk, has been accepted in her party from Congress "which he deserted out of frustration with the mode of functioning of the party leadership".

Condemning expulsion of three rebel Congress leaders, Banerjee said, "It is evident that there is no democracy inside the Congress party."

"I strongly feel that Congress workers can't just sacrifice everything for Sonia Gandhi," she said, adding that Mahatma Gandhi had truly advocated that Congress party should be disbanded after Independence "since it has ceased to work for the people's welfare".

Recalling her expulsion from the Congress last year, the Trinamool Congress leader said the expulsion of the three leaders amply provedthat there was no place for sincere and grassroot-level workers in this party.

Banerjee said she was eager to see expelled Congress leader Sharad Pawar launch his proposed front, and did not rule out any talks with him. "I don't dismiss any possibility of discussion with him. Let Pawar talk to me first and I will welcome it." However, she hastened to add that there had been no communication from him as yet.

Pointing out that the issues raised by the three expelled Congress leaders were "very much valid" with regard to the propriety of projecting Sonia Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate, Mamata Banerjee said, "it is amazing that Congress leadership preferred to run away from the scene instead of explaining its stand."

"When a party is bereft of inner democracy and the right to raise voice of protests, it forfeits the right to associate itself with the glory of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi," she said.

Supporting Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's call for a national debate onthe issue of a foreigner's holding nation's highest posts, she said Trinamool Congress would discuss the issue at its next meeting here on May 29.

Refusing to comment on an Indian origin holding the highest office in Fiji, Banerjee said, "Tell me can an Indian occupy the Prime Minister's post in Italy or can an Indian be appointed President of the US?" To a question, Banerjee said her party would continue to prefer Vajpayee as the prime ministerial candidate. She said that TC seat adjustments with the BJP would be soon sorted out.