Contrary to expectations, the much-awaited talks between Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee here over a seat-sharing deal for the coming Assembly elections failed to produce results late on Tuesday evening.
The presence of two key AICC leaders, Shakeel Ahmed and Janardhan Poojari, with Mr Mukherjee had raised hopes that the two sides would clinch a deal on Tuesday night. This did not materialise. After 75 minutes of discussions at Mr Mukherjee’s South Kolkata residence, the Congress and Trinamul Congress could not reach an understanding.
But after the marathon talks Mr Mukherjee, Mr Ahmed and Mr Poojari stood with Ms Banerjee and Mr Mukul Roy for a photo op. Mr Mukherjee also made a brief announcement: “We just have to say one thing. We have discussed seat-sharing. The discussion is inconclusive. We shall discuss again.”
Both camps see a ray of hope in Mr Mukherjee’s last line that the leaders of the two parties would meet again. A close associate of Mr Mukherjee, state Congress spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, said an alliance was still on the cards. “Jote hobe (an alliance will be forged),” he said emphatically. Insiders said Ms Banerjee had offered to give around 67 seats to the Congress. But some problem areas still remained.
Mr Mukherjee is believed to have urged Ms Banerjee to leave Asansol, Ranaghat, Kharagpur and either Metiabruz or Kolkata Port seat for the Congress. The Congress is particularly keen on the Port seat for sitting MLA Ram Pyare Ram. Ms Banerjee, however, is adamant on fielding her close aide Firhad (Bobby) Hakim from Port. To reinforce her claim for the seat, she brought Mr Hakim with her to the negotiations with the Congress. Another irritant is Ms Banerjee’s demand for a number of seats in Malda, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur districts, which are traditional Congress strongholds.
The Assembly election dates were announced on March 1 and the ruling Left Front has not only announced its list of candidates but has also started campaigning. Ms Banerjee, however, not yet announced her list of candidates although she has reportedly finalised the names.