Congress welcomes Mamata's split from NDA

NEW DELHI: At a time when the Left parties have taken out a 'jatha' against the government over the Indo- US nuclear deal, the Congress has welcomed indications from Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee that she is parting ways with the BJP-led NDA.

"I welcome the move," was the reaction of Congress general secretary Margaret Alva when she was asked about Banerjee's statement that her party is trying to stand on its own in West Bengal.

"We are now with no one and are trying to stand on our own," Banerjee, an estranged ally of the NDA, said at a programme to felicitate madrasa students in Kolkata two days ago.

Alva's comment welcoming Banerjee's move has come at a time when talk of mid-term polls is gaining ground. Banerjee is an arch opponent of Left parties and the Trinamool is the main opposition in Left-ruled West Bengal.

Reports have suggested that a secret understanding between the Congress and Trinamool for contesting the next election in "harmony" led to the Left parties upping the ante on the Indo-US nuclear deal.

The non-Left parties in West Bengal have always spoken of the need for a 'mahajot' (grand alliance) to take on the Marxists who have ruled the state for 30 years. It, however,did not materialise as the Congress objected to any direct or indirect truck with the BJP, with whom Banerjee had allied as part of the NDA.