Amid worsening of relations between the Congress and Trinamul Congress, rural development minister Jairam Ramesh is likely to be the first UPA minister to meet the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee next week in the state capital.
The meeting, though stated to focus on expediting spending of rural development funds in the state, assumes significance in the backdrop of attempts by the Congress to improve relations with the Trinamul.
It was Mr Ramesh’s remark in Kolkata few months ago, that “Congress has not taken VRS (voluntary retirement from service) in West Bengal”, which apparently triggered open war of words between the two parties. The Trinamul had taken the extreme step to embarrass the UPA by opposing the Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha, while the relations continue to nosedive.
The rural development minister is slated to visit Bankura and Purulia districts, which were recently added in the list of IAP (integrated action plan) districts. Mr Ramesh will spend three days in the state from January 23.
However, sources said that the opportunity could be used by Mr Ramesh to “calm down” mercurial West Bengal chief minister, whose support would be key to passage of two crucial legislative proposals of the UPA — Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Bill, 2011 and National Food Security (NFS) Bill, 2011. While the Land Bill has been drafted by Mr Ramesh’s ministry, he is expected to play a role in Food Bill, as the ongoing Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) being conducted by the rural development ministry could be used to determine the beneficiaries.
Mr Ramesh is also known to enjoy a good rapport with Ms Banerjee. He had ensured speedy approvals for projects under his ministry for the state, while also having succeeded in requesting the state chief minister to pay serious attention to the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA). The minister had approved in October last year 2100 km long concrete roads in the Maoist-hit Junglemahal region under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna
(PMGSY). The bonhomie between two was also seen when Ms Banerjee had invited Mr Ramesh to join her at India International Trade Fair show at Pragati Maidan.