Tuesday, January 3 2006 19:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Union Minister P R Dasmunsi today (Jan 3, 2006) hoped that a progressive secular alternative to the ruling Left Front would emerge ahead of the assembly polls in West Bengal.

Speaking to reporters, he said all Congressmen in West Bengal were united behind PCC chief Pranab Mukherjee who recently held talks with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on the issue of formation of an anti- Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) alliance.

He said that the meeting of the West Bengal Congress leaders was scheduled in Kolkata on January 7 and, "We are all unitedand whatever is done will be under the leadership of Pranabda."

The TC chief had discussed the issue of forming a 'grand alliance' with Mukherjee on December 31.

Dasmunsi said that Mukherjee would hold discussions with All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi and the party may later report to the state leaders.

"Whatever we will do in Bengal should be a progressive secular alternative to the Left front," he said.