Trivedi ready to quit as Railway Minister, but wants Mamata's written letter

New Delhi, Mar 17 (ANI): Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi, who is in the eye of a storm of his own party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), ever since he presented the Railway Budget for 2012-13, on Saturday said that he did not want to be seen as running away from his job, and added that he was ready to step down from his post provided Mamata Banerjee wrote to him asking for his resignation.

Trivedi said the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who is the head of the government, had not asked him to step down from his post.

"Sudip Bandyopadhyay has gone on record on floor of the Lok Sabha that Trinamool Congress has not asked for my resignation. Neither the Prime Minister of India has asked for my resignation. He (Prime Minister) is the captain of the team. And I personally don't understand what is happening. But till time, the matter is absolutely clear, so I have suggested that I do not want to take any verbal thing because for me Parliament has more sanctity than somebody's telephone," said Trivedi.

"So, I have suggested let Mamataji give me a letter so that there is no confusion. Because tomorrow I don't want to say 'we told in Parliament that we are not asking for Dinesh Trivedi's resignation'. Honorable Prime Minister of India, who is the captain of the team, has not even suggested to me all. So, I must carry on my constitutional duty. I don't want to be seen running away from the budget, which I have presented," he added.

Trivedi further said the Railway Budget presented by him was appreciated throughout the country.I don't want to work in confusion because I am a responsible minister and I have a constitutional authority. I have just presented a Railway Budget, which the entire country has appreciated, the Members of Parliament cutting across party lines they have appreciated," said Trivedi.

"So, I have to carry out my duty as the Railway Minister. I have to go and participate and reply to the debate on the budget, which is slated for Monday. So, I am going the office for that preparation," he added.

Trinamool Congress Chief Whip Kalyan Banerjee, who had a telephonic conversation with Trivedi earlier, asked him to resign from the Railway Minister's post and make a gracious exit and not wait to be sacked.

Trivedi had earlier on Friday refused to comment on the condemnation resolution moved by the TMC against him, saying he had no idea about it.

Trivedi, however, said he had immense faith in the people of the country, who appreciated him for his outstanding commitment.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had earlier demanded that Trivedi be sacked for snapping an eight-year populist trend to not raise passenger train fares.

She demanded that another TMC leader Mukul Roy, who is presently the Minister of State for Shipping, be appointed as the Railway Minister. (ANI)