CPI(M) targets Mamata Banerjee for skipping cabinet meeting

Targeting railway minister Mamata Banerjee for skipping the cabinet meeting on Jharkhand today, CPI(M) said she was a minister of the entire country and not of any particular constituency or state.

"Being a cabinet minister, you are concerned with India as a whole and you are not concerned only with your state or constituency which you come from. To say that Jharkhand is a small issue is very very insulting and belittling," CPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury said.

His comments came in the backdrop of Banerjee skipping the cabinet meeting which was called to discuss about recommending president's rule in Jharkhand.

She remarked she did not attend the meeting as it was "only for Jharkhand... a very simple meeting and I was doing some serious job here".

Yechury said a cabinet minister should attend such meetings unless there are very "exceptional" circumstances and otherwise it did not augur well. "The cabinet functions on collective responsibility and it for all members on all issues," he said.

Banerjee also said there are no differences between her Trinamool Congress and Congress party.