Kolkata: After months of now-on and now-off relations with National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Trinamool Congress on November 16 night decided to remain in NDA following a telephonic talk between NDA convenor George Fernandes and party chief Mamta Banerjee who said there was a "positive" response from the ruling coalition at the Centre on Eastern Railway bifurcation issue.

Emerging from a crucial meeting of Trinamool working committee, convened to decide its ties with NDA, Mamta said Fernandes rang her up twice during the day and invited her to come to Delhi and discuss the bifurcation issue with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

"Fernandes told me that he knew the party's sentiments on the railway bifurcation and appealed to us not to take any immediate decision on parting ways with the NDA. Fernandes also said they wanted an amicable settlement," she said.

Mamta said TC MPs would occupy the treasury bench in Parliament during the winter session beginning on November 18.

"If the NDA convenor appeals to us, is it not a courtesy to hold talks? It is not a matter of ego. Even if we get some of our demands fulfilled, it will be victory for the people of West Bengal," she said.

Mamta, however, said, "If nothing comes out of the discussions, we can again meet and take a fresh decision."

Mamta said Fernandes' phone call opened the door for talks and "it will not be appropriate to shut the door".

Asked whether she had set a deadline for talks, she replied, "No. We are going to Delhi and talks will take place during our stay there."

Considerable bad blood was generated between Trinamool Congress and NDA ever since the Union Cabinet endorsed the bifurcation of Eastern Railway to create East Central Railway based in Hajipur.

The issue saw months of war of words between Trinamool leaders and Railway Minister Nitish Kumar, Fernandes' Samata Party colleague.

PTI