The possibility of the Congress joining a Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal brightened following discussions between Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and the Trinamul Congress chief and chief minister-in-waiting. The final decision, however, will be taken by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Ms Banerjee said she would personally invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs Gandhi to her swearing-in ceremony.
Ms Banerjee, who on Friday had repeatedly said she would like some of the Congress legislators in her Cabinet, extended a formal invitation to Mr Mukherjee. The two leaders held over an hour’s talks at Mr Mukherjee’s south Kolkata residence.