Kolkata, Nov 17: A day after announcing that her party would not hurry in parting with NDA, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today went a step further indicating that the TC might join the Vajpayee government if talks with the Centre on its various demands were positive.

Speaking to newsmen before leaving for Delhi to attend the winter session of Parliament beginning tomorrow, Banerjee said that the officer on special duty at the PMO, Sudhindra Kulkarni, had requested her over telephone yesterday to discuss the Eastern Railway bifurcation and other issues with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. ''He also requested us to join the NDA government. If the talk with the Centre is positive, we may consider it,'' Banerjee said. Kulkarni's call came just before the TC working committee meeting which was to discuss the question of the party's remaining in the NDA, she said.

NDA convener George Fernandes also had a telephonic talk with Banerjee yesterday when she requested him to discuss the ER bifurcation issue with the prime minister and not to take any hasty decision on leaving the NDA.

Clearly relieved with her conversation with Fernandes, the TC chief had said that she did not want to be drawn into a battle of egos.

''If the NDA convener appeals to us, is it not a courtesy to hold talks? even if we get some of our demands fulfilled, it will be a victory for the people of West Bengal.''
Bureau Report