Railway budget, introduced by the Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi in Parliament today, brought fresh trouble for the Congress and the UPA government at the Centre with the West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamatha Banerjee demanding a roll back of the proposed hike in fare.

After Mamatha Banerjee expressed anger disapproving the proposed hike and demanding an immediate roll back, the Railway Minister said he took his own decision on the proposed fare hike and has not consulted his party leadership on the issue.

There are even reports that Trivedi has offered to resign after the TMC chief spokesman Derek O’Brien termed the proposed hike as unwarranted. “The hike is not in the interest of the common people,” Brien declared in a statement. “It must be rolled back.”

Speculation is rife that Mamatha, who is not ready to accept the hike, may ask Trivedi, a senior TMC leader, to put in his papers. In case he has already submitted his resignation, he may advise the Prime Minister to accept his resignation.

On the other hand, the Railway Minister’s decision to prepare and present the rail budget without consulting his party leadership, has brought to the fore the hidden fissures in the party. (J)