On the eve of her meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress on Tuesday downplayed West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s opposition to NCTC insisting that it was “not unnatural” for her to have “some concerns.”

“She is president of her party and CM. She has some concerns and I don’t think it is unnatural or unwarranted,” senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed, who is in charge of the party affairs in West Bengal, told reporters.
Mr Ahmed was asked whether Ms Banerjee, whose Trinamul Congress is a key constituent of the ruling UPA, was acting as an Opposition leader by raking up several issues, including objection to the NCTC.
“Differences of opinion among allies is not uncommon in this part of the world. If two alliance partners discuss and a way ahead is found, it is always good,” he said dismissing suggestions that the strains between the party and the Trinamul Congress have grown.
Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh, speaking separately, said it was unlikely that Ms Banerjee would raise any issue pertaining to his ministry as it was quick to grant sanction to proposals from the state.
“If there are any other political issue, it is between Mamata, the Prime Minister and the finance minister,” he said.