New Delhi, Sept 08: Within hours of her induction
as cabinet minister without portfolio, Trinamool Congress
Chief Mamata Banerjee today discounted reports that she was
unhappy at being offered coal ministry and said she will
abide by whatever Prime Minister decides.
"This is not true. I am very happy. So is my party," she
told reporters at Rashtrapati Bhavan shortly after being
sworn in.
She was asked whether she was not pleased at being
offered the coal portfolio by Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee.
"Ministry or no ministry, it does not matter. I am not
going to fight for any portfolio," Banerjee, who had quit
as railway minister two years ago over the Tehelka expose,
said.
However, sources in the Prime Minister's office said
when Banerjee met Vajpayee last night, she was offered coal
portfolio which she declined to accept. She preferred to
remain a minister without portfolio, the sources said.
Asserting that her party had always supported the NDA,
Banerjee said she had "great respect for the Prime Minister"
and will do whatever she was directed to do. I cannot say
no to the Prime Minister."
Asked what transpired during her meeting with the Prime
Minister, she shot back "I cannot talk about it outside. It
is totally confidential".
"I will ask her in your presence here," the prime minister
said light heartedly on being asked whether Banerjee could
create problems for him.
Bureau Report
