Congress, Trinamool hold another round of talks

Amid indications that Mamata Banerjee is staking claim for five ministerial slots, leaders of Congress and Trinamool Congress on Thursday held another round of discussions to reach an understanding on the issue. "It is (Congress') decision what they do. We have no demand," she maintained.

Amid indications that Mamata Banerjee is staking claim for five ministerial slots, leaders of Congress and Trinamool Congress on Thursday held another round of discussions to reach an understanding on the issue.

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Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by senior party leaders Dinesh Trivedi and Mukul Roy, met Congress leader A K Antony and Ahmed Patel in New Delhi.

After the hour-long meeting, Banerjee told reporters that it was for the Congress to decide on the issue of Cabinet berths and that it was not bargaining for ministerial berths in the new Government.

"We want our relations with Congress to remain good. It is their decision what they do. We have no demand," she said.

"More important than the ministry is stable government that will work for agriculture and industry," Banerjee said.

Banerjee had last night met Patel to reach an understanding on the issue.

A senior TC leader also maintained that the party forged electoral ties with Congress in West Bengal without any precondition.

Trinamool, which won 19 Lok Sabha seats, is believed to be seeking at least two Cabinet berths and three slots of Ministers of State.