Manmohan Singh assures Mamata Centre's wholehearted support

On the eve of her taking over as West Bengal chief minister, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hailed Mamata Banerjee assured the Centre's wholehearted support in her task ahead.

"As you begin your term as chief minister of West Bengal, my very warm wishes are with you. I have no doubt by the dint of your courageous leadership and commitment to the public good, West Bengal will achieve rapid progress in the future.

"I assure you of our wholehearted support in your task ahead", Singh said in a letter to Banerjee after accepting her resignation as railway minister.

The prime minister said he has accepted her resignation and forwarded it to the president for acceptance with immediate effect.

Expressing his deep appreciation of her contribution to the working of the government, Singh said "you have been a valued colleague in the Union Council of Ministers and we have benefitted immensely from your knowledge and experience."