Cong ministers skip Mamata's meeting; await orders from Delhi

The two Congress ministers in Mamata Banerjee's cabinet skipped a meeting chaired by the chief minister on Wednesday, as the junior coalition partner in West Bengal awaited directions from party leadership on the future course of action after the Trinamool pullout at the Centre.

Irrigation minister Manas Bhuniya and Fisheries minister Abu Hena did not attend the cabinet meeting, Congress sources said.

The sources said the Congress ministers will attend cabinet meetings only when the party high command gives the 'green signal'. The Congress also has two ministers of state.

The state Congress unit said it has sought the high command's direction as it was finding it 'difficult' to function normally after Trinamool Congress withdrew support to the UPA government on Tuesday.

"We have given details to the AICC high command that it is difficult to stay in the Mamata Banerjee ministry and function normally," WBPCC president Pradip Bhattacharya told PTI over telephone.

Asked if the four ministers belonging to the Congress were likely to be withdrawn, Bhattacharya declined to comment, but said "We have furnished details to the high Command and awaiting its direction."

"We are in the state cabinet due to the high command's direction. We are waiting for its direction now," Bhuniya said.