Trinamool's Dinesh Trivedi to head railways

Lily

B.R
Staff member
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Kolkata: Speculation over India's next railway minister is finally over. In a late night statement the Prime Minister's office said Dinesh Trivedi, Trinamool MP from West Bengal's Barrackpur constituency, will be sworn in to the post.

The decision has taken many Trinamool supporters by surprise, as Mukul Roy, a key party functionary, was tipped to be the next railway minister. What favoured Trivedi over Roy is said to be his proximity to the Gandhi family and his friendship with Sonia Gandhi's political adviser Ahmad Patel.

Another aspect in Trivedi's favour is his knowledge of Hindi and his proximity to the leaders of the opposition party, especially BJP.

"Trivedi has been Trinamool's face in the national capital. He has represented the party in every sphere and before 2009, when Trinamool had Mamata Banerjee as its lone MP, he made sure the party was not voiceless," said a Congress leader.

Trinamool leaders are tight lipped about the decision, but many are not sure why Roy did not get his due.

"Mukul Roy was instrumental in the phenomenal victory that the party achieved in the assembly elections. He virtually controls the entire party machinery and he should have been rewarded with the cabinet post," said a senior Trinamool leader on condition of anonymity.

Roy, who is presently minister of state (MOS) for shipping, will retain his position and get additional responsibilities of MOS, health, which was previously held by Trivedi.

The other Trinamool MP to be inducted into the union cabinet is Sudip Banerjee, MP from North Kolkata though his portfolio is yet to be decided.
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