New Delhi: Even as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee put on hold the induction of Sudip Bandopadhyay in his Ministry, Trinamool Congress Chief Mamta Banerjee on May 24 said the move was "unprecedented" and went against "the basic 'dharma' of coalition politics".

In a two-page hard-hitting letter which she faxed to the Prime Minister from Kolkata, Banerjee said, "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 in the Council of Ministers. Nor has my consent been obtained."

She said, "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." Banerjee said the proposed induction would "go against the basic 'dharma' of coalition politics".

Stating that the Working Committee of her party had "unanimously resolved" to appeal to the Prime Minister to drop Bandopadhyay from the list of those proposed to be included in the Ministry, Banerjee said, "Any selection of a minister from a party without that party's knowledge and consent is unprecedented."

"We have full confidence in your sagacity and hope that our party would not have to take any hard or unpleasant decision," the letter said.

PTI