TMC rules out resignation of party ministers

Kolkata/New Delhi, June 18 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Monday rubbished reports that the party ministers have submitted their resignations to party chief Mamata Banerjee, saying it is completely baseless and untrue.

Bandhopadhyaya said the Trinamool Congress remains the second-largest member of the UPA, suggesting the party is not opting out of the coalition yet.

It was earlier reported that TMC minister had submitted their resignations to amata Banerjee.

Trinamool Congress has six ministers in the ruling UPA, including Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy.

Mamata, who has been estranged from the UPA since last week over the election for President of India, held a meeting with her party leaders here to decide on the TMC's future strategy.

As the war of words over the presidential candidate scaled up dramatically, Banerjee had earlier last week said that she has not threatened anyone and does not intend to topple the UPA Government.

Banerjee, however, said that if the UPA wants her to leave, she will.

"We want to be in the UPA. If they don't want us in the government, that choice is with the Congress," she said.

Trinamool Congress, with 19 members in the Lok Sabha, is the largest constituent of UPA after the Congress.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil's term ends on July 24. (ANI)