M A I N   N E W S

Cabinet to decide railway issue
T.R. Ramachandran
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 22
Despite the BJP-led NDA taking exception to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee issuing yet another ultimatum in Kolkata yesterday to review the bifurcation of Eastern Railway, the Prime Minister’s Office said here today that the issue would be “considered” and an “appropriate decision taken” at the next meeting of the Union Cabinet.

This brings to the fore Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s determined attempts to amicably resolve the controversy connected with the bifurcation of Eastern Railway thus paving the way for Ms Banerjee’s re-entry into his Cabinet.

Mr Vajpayee has taken note of the fact that the government’s decision to create new railway zones has evoked “diverse reactions in the country”, a statement issued by the PMO said. “At the next meeting of the Cabinet, these reactions will be considered and an appropriate decision taken,” the statement added.

The statement, alluding to “diverse reactions” to the creation of new zones in the Railways, takes cognizance of the resentment to this proposition in certain states, including West Bengal.

Significantly, the brief statement by the PMO comes at a time when Ms Banerjee’s sagging image in her home state seemingly received a boost in the wake of the unexpected but widely attended rally. She demanded the removal of Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar and announced a 72-hour general strike in West Bengal if the Centre failed to put the bifurcation of Eastern Railway in cold storage.

It is not as if Ms Banerjee has sprung a surprise on the BJP leadership as evidenced by the presence of Mr Kirti Azad, a party MP from Bihar. Mr Azad, a former cricketer, had got the necessary clearance from the BJP high command to attend Ms Banerjee’s rally.

Even as Ms Banerjee is keen to galvanise her constituents and keep her Trinamool Congress flock together, she steered clear of attacking Mr Vajpayee or any other constituent of the NDA. She has time and again stressed that she has great respect for Mr Vajpayee and sought his direct intervention to preserve the prestige of West Bengal.

Ms Banerjee has concentrated her attack on Mr Nitish Kumar, accusing him of playing politics for short-term gains rather than maintaining the character of the Indian Railways. She also realises that she has to settle for a portfolio other than the Railways. She has already come down several notches by showing her willingness to accept any portfolio that the Prime Minister assigns her, provided the emotive issue of the bifurcation of Eastern Railway is revoked.

There is a strong section of opinion in the BJP and certain other constituents of the NDA that the Vajpayee government should not cave in to the demands of Ms Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress. Mr Vajpayee, on the other hand, wants consolidation of the NDA and believes that if there is a strong reaction to the creation of new railway zones from several quarters, then it should not be summarily brushed under the carpet.

Nevertheless, there are indications that the bifurcation of Eastern Railway might be kept in abeyance and taken up later after Ms Banerjee becomes a part of the Vajpayee government. Thereafter, if the creation of new zones is taken up with necessary changes acceptable to all those who now feel there is a serious imbalance in the Cabinet decision, it will be a collective one, with Ms Banerjee being a part of the Vajpayee government.

The Union Cabinet customarily meets on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, depending on various factors, including exigencies, if any.

Mamata defers Bengal bandh

Kolkata, July 22
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today postponed the proposed 72-hour bandh for the time being, in view of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s promise to consider all views before taking a decision on the bifurcation of railzones at the next Cabinet meeting.

“We have decided to postpone the bandh following Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s promise to consider all opinions before taking a decision on the bifurcation of the Eastern Railway zones at the next Cabinet meeting,” she said. Addressing mediapersons here, she welcomed Mr Vajpayee’s assurance to take a decision regarding the bifurcation of the rail zones at the next Cabinet meeting. UNI