In an apparent bid to mollify the Trinamool Congress, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has consented to reschedule his proposed visit to Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate the Qazigund-Anantnag railway line “to suit the convenience of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee”.

Railway sources said the Prime Minister had agreed to inaugurate the 12-km new rail link in the Valley on October 28, re-scheduling his visit to the state by over a week, after Mamata communicated her inability to stick to the original schedule due to “Kali Puja” (October 17) and “Bhai Phota” (October 19).

“We are hopeful that Sonia Gandhi too will participate in the inauguration function, but so far there has been no confirmation,” said an official at the Railways Ministry.

Prior to the acrimony between the two parties over the Siliguri mayoral election, Sonia is reported to have consented to participate in the inauguration of the crucial rail link. However, when a sulking Mamata pulled out of the function after the Congress won the Siliguri tussle with Left support, there were rumours that she was no longer interested in the function.

Trinamool leaders said they expected Sonia to share the stage with Mamata to reinforce that the TMC-Congress alliance was strong. “It is the responsibility of the Congress to make it clear before the people of West Bengal that they are not flirting with the Left. Therefore, we expect Sonia to come on stage,” said a senior Trinamool leader.