Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress chief, on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for proposing to induct Sudip Bandopadhyay without 'consulting' her.
In a two-page letter, she called Vajpayee's proposed move as 'unprecedented' and against the 'basic dharma' of coalition politics.
Mamata's criticism prompted the prime minister to put on hold the induction of Bandopadhyay. Earlier in the day, Banerjee, who was supposed to fly down from Kolkata to Delhi, cancelled her trip. Media reports had suggested that Banerjee's induction into the Cabinet was a 'near certainty'.
"Let me tell you with all emphasis and humility, there has been no consultation with me or our party at any stage (on induction of Bandopadhyay into the Council of Ministers). Nor has my consent been obtained," Mamata wrote.
"You would, I am sure, agree with me that each of the political parties in a coalition must have total freedom and autonomy in its decision-making process, including the selection of any member of the party for inclusion in the ministry," she added.
She said the working committee of her party had 'unanimously resolved' to appeal to Vajpayee to drop Bandopadhyay from the list of those proposed to be included in the ministry
"Any selection of a minister from a party without that party's knowledge and consent is unprecedented," she said. "We have full confidence in your sagacity and hope that our party would not have to take any hard or unpleasant decision."