Flashback

Poll dates out,Mamata Banerjee announces alliance with Congress. “It is a small matter; everything will be okay. Our list is almost ready but we have to sit and discuss with the Congress what they want,” she says.

March 2

“We want a two-thirds and one-third formula,” says Congress’s Manas Bhunia,targeting 98 of 294 seats. Meanwhile,talks start within Trinamool.

March 3

Congress demands 100,Trinamool unwilling to part with more than 60. Mamata leaves for Delhi. She meets K Keshava Rao,AICC observer for Bengal,who says he has heard of Congress demand for 98 but “I have told Mamataji that the Congress will not place any preconditions.”

March 4

Formal talks begin. In AICC reshuffle,K Keshava Rao is replaced by Shakeel Ahmed as Bengal poll observer.

March 5

As talks continue,Mamata aide Mukul Roy says she has expressed her displeasure to AICC. “How could the state Congress publicly demand a definite number of seats even before the talks began?”

March 6

Differences in state Congress. Some leaders criticise Bhunia for demand of 98. Trinamool resolves not to surrender more than 55 to 58. Hints emerge that party ready to concede North Bengal seats since Congress strong in Murshidabad and Malda,but will contest most in South Bengal.

March 7

Mamata meets Pranab,her aides Roy and Govinda Naskar meet Bhunia.

March 8

Mamata returns to Kolkata. In Delhi,Mukul Roy meets Shakeel Ahmed and Pranab,lists and offers 58 seats.

March 9

Mamata agrees to concede 60; Congress wants 96,will settle for no less than 85. State Congress threatens to call off alliance,Trinamool says will wait two days and declare a list unless Congress agrees.

March 10

Mamata raises offer to 62,Congress does not react. Keen to publish list by March 14,Mamata sends Roy to Kolkata. In Delhi,Bhunia meets Sonia,Rahul Gandhi

March 12

Mamata meeting with Pranab and Shakeel called off.

March 14

Manas Bhunia returns from Delhi,says will go by whatever AICC decides. Both parties now want Kolkata Port seat

March 15

Mamata and Pranab meet in Kolkata; Janardhana Pujari meets Shakeel Ahmed. Talks inconclusive.

March 16

Mamata turns down Ahmed Patel’s request to wait till March 21.

March 17

Congress wins time with Sonia and Pranab calling up Mamata. Seems ready to meet Pranab.

March 18

Mamata declares list of 228 candidates. Says she has a list of 64 for Congress,sets Holi as deadline,threatens to field candidates there too. Shakeel Ahmed says Congress waiting for Sonia to return from abroad.