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Mamata rules out dumping BJP for Congress

The Trinamul Congress Thursday virtually ruled out snapping alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the sake of joining hands with the Congress and said it was not averse even to a common manifesto with the BJP in the forthcoming assembly elections in West Bengal.

Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee told reporters in New Delhi after a meeting with some BJP leaders from West Bengal that "a mahajot (grand alliance) does not mean we have to break the existing partnerships."

Replying to a question, she said: "The BJP's suggestion of a joint manifesto is worth considering," she said.

BJP's West Bengal unit president Ashim Ghosh, who led a three-member team to meet Banerjee at her official residence, said: "All anti-Left forces can unite under the wise and dynamic leadership and guidance of Mamata Banerjee."

Asked if the two parties would have a seat-sharing arrangement, he said: "Let the elections be announced first."

On the demand for imposition of President's rule in West Bengal, she said: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is "extremely concerned" over the situation there.

PTI

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