Mamata Banerjee set to present Railway Budget

Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee will present the second railway budget of the UPA II government Friday amid speculations that she will keep the coming Assembly elections in West Bengal in mind.

Expectations in West Bengal are high from Didi, who is eying the seat of power in West Bengal.

Railway is a major political plank in West Bengal with the communists attacking Mamata on failing to deliver what she promises.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in his recent election rally said Mamata will not be able to provide any job to anyone in Railway, eliciting angry reaction from the firebrand Trinamool Congress chief.

There are also expectations that Mamata should try correct the financial crunch of the Railway to implement several projects.

The Railways is cash strapped amid reports that the expenditure has shot up by Rs 1,330 crore and earnings have come down by Rs 1,142 crore.

The Railways has a net deficit of Rs. 2,500 crore, reports said.