Cong. hopeful of deal with Trinamool

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI, MARCH 28. At the end of its day-long deliberations, involving both central as well as State leaders, the Congress(I) expressed optimism over sewing up its alliance with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

Two days after the AICC(I) general-secretary in-charge of West Bengal, Mr. Kamal Nath, initiated the first formal contact with Ms. Mamata Banerjee, the Congress leaders put their heads together to work out the nitty gritty of the alliance. Coming as it did after the sudden turn of events brought about the Tehelka expose, both sides are having to work hard at accommodating ``each other's demands''.

For the Congress(I), the main problem appears to be keeping the demands from its State unit within reasonable limits. Leaders admit that till the Trinamool turnaround happened, the enthusiasm level in the party was low and there appeared few takers for tickets. However, following Ms. Banerjee's decision to snap ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the party suddenly feels it has a chance, and the demand for the tickets has suddenly grown.

The party is faced with a piquant situation with some of those who were vocal in demanding a `mahajot' against the CPI(M) now hiking their demand. Mr. Ghani Khan Chaudhry, who at one time threatened to quit if the party did not enter the grand alliance, is now reportedly against parting with any seat in the Malda region, which he considers his stronghold.

What appears to have added to the problems of the two sides is the fact that Ms. Banerjee had announced candidates for 228 seats before snapping ties with the NDA. Some seats that have already been allotted happen to be Congress(I) strongholds, and both sides are now trying to find a way out.

One such problem concerns Mr. Somen Mitra's Sealdah constituency. Ms. Banerjee allotted the seat to Mr. Ajit Panja's daughter and now finds it difficult to take it back. She has now offered Mr. Mitra to chose any seat other than Sealdah.

Mr. Kamal Nath and the West Bengal Pradesh Congress(I) Committee chief, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, held a series of meetings with State leaders to shortlist the seats the party would like to contest.

The leaders expect to finish the exercise tonight, leaving the final decision to Ms. Gandhi.

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