As the country boils over the Centre’s tough economic decisions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to address the nation on Friday to explain the reasons that forced his government to take these steps. Friday is also the day when Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is expected to formally withdraw support to the government, pushing UPA-2 into a working minority.
Ms Banerjee decided to pull the plug as the government hiked diesel prices, put a cap on subsidised LPG and allowed foreign investment in multi-brand retail. All six Trinamul ministers at the Centre, including railway minister Mukul Roy, are expected to resign on Friday. The Trinamul Congress is also likely to submit a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee withdrawing support to the government if it gets an appointment. When contacted, Rashtrapati Bhavan refused to confirm if Ms Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister, had sought time from Mr Mukherjee. A presidential aide said: “Till now we have not received any such request from Mamata Banerjee.”
Sources said after Trinamul pulls out, the government might have to effect a Cabinet reshuffle at the earliest. While the government seemed firm on going ahead with reforms, a section of the Congress wants the issues raised by Ms Banerjee to be considered at the highest levels. The sources said Congress president Sonia Gandhi was examining some of the demands raised by Ms Banerjee.
These Congress leaders feel with Ms Banerjee’s exit, the government will get completely dependent on the SP and BSP. They fear Mulayam Singh Yadav will keep the government on tenterhooks and indulge in the politics of blackmail. It is also feared that parties like the NCP, DMK and National Conference “could switch allegiance at their convenience”.
Some in the Congress feel that any reconciliation move by its high command might make Ms Banerjee change her mind, but the Trinamul chief remained aggressive in Kolkata. Asked if she will accompany her ministers on Friday, she retorted: “Why I should go to Delhi? To bargain ? I don’t believe in this.”