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PM rejects Mamata, Panja's resignations

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has rejected Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Panja's resignation from the Union Council of Ministers.

A spokesman from the Prime Minister's Office said efforts were on to persuade the Trinamool Congress leaders to withdraw their resignations.

The National Democratic Alliance suffered a setback on Saturday after Banerjee's party decided to withdraw support to the Vajpayee government in three days if the prices of petroleum products are not rolled back.

"We have resigned from the government and we will withdraw support if petrol prices are not rolled back," Railway Minister Banerjee told a hurriedly called press conference in Calcutta.

Asked if Vajpayee did not accept her resignation, Banerjee shouted, "There is no question of taking back our resignation. We have given the NDA government three days notice. Let us wait and see."

When a reporter asked why she had taken the sudden decision, she said, "At the NDA meeting I expressed my resentment against the government's decision to hike the prices of petroleum products. At that time, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik told me the price hike would not affect the common people. So there is no question of this sudden decision."

''Despite being a partner of the NDA government we have not been consulted regarding the price hike. This is not the first time. Such things had happened before,'' Banerjee said.

The Trinamool has nine MPs in the Lok Sabha.

''If the Centre withdraws the enhanced prices within three days, we will reconsider our decision,'' she said.

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