New Delhi, March 10 (IANS) The Congress Wednesday hoped that the Trinamool Congress, led by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, will support the Women's Reservation Bill when it comes up for voting in the Lok Sabha.

'Mamata was present in the cabinet meeting which cleared the bill. She is the tallest leader of West Bengal and also a woman leader of the country. In the larger interest, I do hope she will support the bill,' Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said here.

The Trinamool is the second largest constituent in the Congress-led ruling coalition with 19 members in the Lok Sabha. The Women's Reservation Bill seeks to reserve 33 percent seats in parliament and the state legislatures.

The Congress also asked the Trinamool Congress to 'keep the larger picture in mind' with regard to the 'historic bill' meant for 'empowering women' in the country.

He also rejected Mamata's allegation that the Congress was hobnobbing with the Left parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Trinamool Tuesday abstained from voting on the women's quota bill in the Rajya Sabha, alleging that the Congress failed to convene an all-party meeting on it and sought to 'bulldoze' it through parliament.

The Trinamool Congress has only two MPs in the Rajya Sabha.

Mamata is also demanding reservation for backward castes, Muslims and Dalits in the bill.

Ruling out a quota within quota, the Congress said it would be appropriate if the bill is passed in its present form.