A day after the landslide victory of Ms Mamata Banerjee against the Left, Kolkata was today abuzz with the possibility of her alliance partner Congress joining the Trinamool-led Government, likely to take office next week.

While there was no official confirmation yet, sources said that Ms Banerjee might head to Delhi on Sunday to resign as the Railway Minister and return to Kolkata to be sworn in Chief Minister by the Governor, Mr M.K. Narayanan, on May 18. Ms Banerjee may invite the Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, for the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources said that though the Congress prefers to offer outside support in cases where the alliance partner secures majority on its own, it may decide to join the Government this time.

The issue may come up for discussion between Ms Banerjee and the Union Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, at a meeting scheduled late in the evening.

According to the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Chief, Mr Manas Bhuniya, the newly-elected Congress legislators will discuss the possibility of joining the Government at a meeting scheduled on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Mukherjee and the All-India Congress Committee representative, Mr Shakeel Ahmed, will be present at the meeting.

Mr Bhuniya, however, added that the final decision in this regard will be taken by Ms Gandhi.

Trinamool legislators will also be meeting on Sunday afternoon to decide their course of action.

Though official sources said that Sunday's meeting of Trinamool Congress legislators will decide on the leadership issue, it is understood that the meeting will designate Ms Banerjee as the Chief Minister.

Next Railway Minister

Meanwhile, several candidates are being considered for the office of the next Railway Minister.

Ms Bannerjee has already made it clear that her party would claim the Cabinet portfolio, following her resignation.

According to sources, while the Union Minister of State for Shipping, Mr Mukul Roy, is a strong contender for the position, Mr Dinesh Trivedi, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, and Mr Saugata Roy, Union Minister of State for Urban Development, are also in the reckoning.

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