After Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee’s threat to withdraw support from the NDA government, Defence Minister George Fernandes, who was sent as an emissary to iron out differences with Mamata Bannerjee has met the railway minister. Fernades described their talks as productive. But no breakthrough has been reached as yet. Mamata, who resigned from the Union Cabinet, expressing ire over the hike of the prices of petroleum products, said that she was giving the Prime Minister three days to roll back the prices of petro products. If this was not done, her party would withdraw support to the NDA government too. Earlier in the day, her fellow partymen and Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja too had resigned. Vajpayee has rejected both their resignations. Meanwhile, Defence Minister George Fernandes, who was sent as an emissary to iron out differences with Mamata Bannerjee has met the railway minister. Fernades described their talks as productive. But no breakthrough has been reached as yet. Naik adamant: In New Delhi, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik ruled out rollback in the hike in prices of kerosene, petrol, diesel and LPG, saying that the government would not have taken the step if it was avoidable.
“We have taken into consideration all factors and I do not think there is scope to reconsider the decision,” he said.

Bureau Report