Mamata Banerjee’s clout grows

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee’s clout in Delhi is growing everyday. A discussion on the Union home ministry’s demands for grants was postponed by a day in the Lok Sabha only because Banerjee had asked for it. She is in Kolkata to hold a Martyrs Day rally on Tuesday and requested that it be rescheduled.

“Mamatadi had specifically asked that the discussion on the demands for grants for the home ministry be discussed on Wednesday, after she returns to Delhi so that she may have the opportunity to slam the West Bengal government’s record on law and order,” said an aide to Banerjee. “This is the perfect chance for her to score points on the government’s actions in Singur, Nandigram and Lalgarh,” he added.

“In the previous term, Didi was the only MP from Trinamool and could not raise many issues effectively. This time, with her 20 MPs, she wants to make the Left squirm in the House,” said the aide.

Government sources confirmed that the discussion on home affairs had been postponed because of Banerjee’s request. “She said that she would not be able to participate, therefore we have rescheduled it for Wednesday,” said a minister.

Not just that, in a sign that the Congress is happy to oblige its resurgent ally, party MLAs have been asked to attend the rally. The countdown to the 2011 state election seems to have begun, not just in Kolkata, but in New Delhi too.