Jairam Ramesh denies rift with Trinamool

Kolkata, Feb 19 (ANI): Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday denied rift with Trinamool Congress party in West Bengal.

Talking to mediapersons in Kolkata Ramesh said that the Congress party respected the principles of coalition government and there was no difference of opinion between the two parties.

"There is no difference of opinion (between Congress and ally partner Trinamool Congress). We are the number one nationalist political party but we have a coalition government and we follow the principles of a coalition partner," he said.

Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party is the biggest ally in Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government.

Earlier on January 30, Banerjee lashed out at the Congress for lack of financial aid to develop the state.

Banerjee had recently threatened to quit the alliance, owing to differences regarding several moves made by the Congress party.

Ramesh further said that the Congress party was sending ample funds for the rural development of the Maoist affected districts of West Bengal.

"There would be no dearth of funds in west Bengal for rural development projects especially in the Maoist affected three districts-West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. There is no lack of funds in these areas," he added.

The rift between Congress and TMC has been widening over a period of time.

The reshuffle of state ministers by Banerjee that weakened the position of two Congress ministers, upsetting the high command in New Delhi.

The TMC and Congress had voiced their differences on several platforms in the past concerning issues of price rise. (ANI)