Pranab criticises Trinamool's attempts to marginalise Congress

Reflecting growing strains in relations between the two UPA allies, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee criticised attempts of Trinamool Congress to marginalise Congress in West Bengal.

Reflecting growing strains in relations between the two UPA allies, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday criticised attempts of Trinamool Congress to marginalise Congress in West Bengal.

HT Image

"It would be wrong to believe that Congress would be reduced to a signboard organisation in Bengal. Insults to party supporters and activists should stop," Mukherjee, who heads the state PCC, said at an election rally without naming Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee.

The two parties recently decided to go it alone in the civic polls following breakdown of seat adjustment talks between them.

Defending Congress party's position during seat-sharing talks with TC, Mukherjee said it was "irrational to equate civic polls with Lok Sabha election to reach a seat-sharing understanding".

His comments came on the heels of Banerjee dubbing Congress leaders as "CPI-M agents" during the civic poll campaign.