No TMC MP in delegation as 'mother party' not consulted, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said no Trinamool MP would participate in the multi-party foreign delegation, asserting that no formal request was made to the "mother party" for nominations. She clarified, however, that the Trinamool Congress supports the country's interest and stands with the Centre on foreign policy.

Banerjee said the Centre had nominated Yusuf Pathan, but the party conveyed that he would not be part of the delegation. "The Parliamentary party was informed, but it functions only during the Parliament session. It cannot make policy decisions," she said.

"Nowadays, they don't inform the mother party, only the Parliamentary party," Banerjee told reporters en route to North Bengal. "If the request comes to us, we can consider it. We support the country's best interests and have no hesitation in backing the Centre on foreign policy."

Banerjee, who is also chairperson of the TMC Parliamentary Party, stressed the Centre can't decide a party's representative without consultation.