Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee fuelled a controversy by claiming that Mitra met her as an individual leader and not as a Congress representative.
Last Friday Mitra and Banerjee held an hour-long meeting at Nizam Palace. A move which, according to party sources, was without the backing of present WBPCC president and arch-rival of Mitra, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.
“I have briefed Pranab Mukherjee regarding the details of my meeting with Banerjee. All I have said is that a joint platform between Congress and Trinamool should be worked out. This is very necessary. However, time has not come to divulge the details of my plan,” said Mitra.
When asked whether he will take part in the Trinamool Congress rally on July 21, Mitra said, “Let Trinamool invite me, then I will decide.” During the hour-long meeting between Mitra and Mukherjee, the wanted to know about former WBPCC chief’s initiative, according to sources in the party.
Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, denied any formal alliance with the Congress as of now. “Mitra met me on his personal capacity and not as a representative of Congress. There is no alliance between TMC and Congress,” she added. Other Congress leaders were, however, optimistic regarding an alliance, but opined that Banerjee should leave NDA first.
“I do not think Mitra is leaving the party. I had a talk with him. It is our long standing demand that an alliance should be formed between Congress and TMC. But Banerjee will have to leave NDA,” said Manas Bhuniya, senior Congress leader.