Farce ends, Trivedi bows to Mamata's order to step down

After four days of defiance, railways minister Dinesh Trivedi finally decided to resign on Sunday, hours before his party chief Mamata Banerjee was to land in Delhi to press for his removal. HT reports. Man who paid for his adventurous decision | Derailed by fare hike | 'No witchhunt'

After four days of defiance, railways minister Dinesh Trivedi finally decided to resign on Sunday, hours before his party chief Mamata Banerjee was to land in Delhi to press for his removal.

Mukul Roy, junior minister for shipping and Banerjee's choice, is expected to replace Trivedi.

Trivedi had insisted he would resign only after he gets a formal communication from Banerjee. He backed down on Sunday evening after a call from minister of state in PMO, V Narayanasamy, signalled the government couldn't antagonise Banerjee for his sake.

"Trivedi called me up and said he is an obedient soldier of the Trinamool. He said if necessary, he would resign from the party on Sunday only," Banerjee said before taking the flight to Delhi.

While Trinamool spokesman Derek O' Brien said Trivedi had put in his papers, there was no confirmation if the Prime Minister had received the letter.

"She (Banerjee) told me it was the party's decision that I must step down and I must abide by it," Trivedi said.

Government sources hope Trivedi's exit would ensure the Trinamool doesn't embarrass the UPA by supporting the BJP's amendments to the President's address over the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Parliament on Monday.