As polls near, Cong-Didi ties nosedive-TNN, Oct 21, 2010,

As polls near, Cong-Didi ties nosedive

Mohua Chatterjee, TNN, Oct 21, 2010, 12.52am IST

NEW DELHI: As assembly elections in West Bengal draw close, relations between Trinamool Congress and Congress seem to be deteriorating, with both sides trying to assert itself. Even as both sides realise the importance of allying to take on the Left, a section of TMC has suddenly started feeling that it can win on its own. Congress wants the alliance to continue but also that TMC's dependence on it should remain.

While the new low in the relations began with Rahul Gandhi's Kolkata visit last month, where the Congress leader talked of having an alliance only with "mutual respect", the most recent indication of relations souring was evident from the spat between Mamata and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of the PM, witnessed at the last Cabinet meeting that the railway minister attended.

The entire Cabinet watched the heated exchange between the two Bengal leaders, over Mamata's demand for hike in pension for railway employees and the railways not paying service tax to the finance ministry for the last two years. According to a senior Cabinet member, "We were witness to the war of words. Both sides have their arguments and the PM will have to resolve it."

Mukherjee's argument is that elections may be a compulsion for political parties but it is difficult for the finance ministry to keep up with populist measures every year. If the railways' demand is met, why should defence or any other ministry be deprived.

Mamata had her arguments. The railways has been taking up work in the social sector and therefore is unable to pay service tax, she said. However, this was not just a mere spat between Mukherjee and Mamata.