New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to make a last attempt to persuade the Trinamool Congress to reconsider its decision of exiting the UPA government when its ministers come to resign. The TMC’s six ministers are expected to resign on Friday.
At the same time, sources say, both the Congress and the government are standing fast on the reforms decisions taken last Friday that have now put the UPA government in a minority in Parliament, following the TMC pull-out.
The government also remains confident that it will manage the numbers and survive a trust vote if required in Parliament.
The sources said that both the PM and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi are unanimous in their decision to push through the reforms. Both the party and government are firm that there will be no rollback on foreign investment in retail as well as the hike in diesel prices and a cap on subsidised LPG cylinders for homes.
The party has already announced that the states ruled by it will increase the cap on subsidised cylinder from six to nine. Delhi has already done so for the poor.
Meanwhile, giving firm indication that she was not ready for a compromise on her decision to quit the UPA government, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday stuck to her stand seeking a roll back of the economic reforms initiated by the Central government.
“We will not move from our stand no matter what… Our ministers will resign as already stated,” Banerjee told the media here.
BJP to demand special session : Meanwhile, Seeing an opportunity to corner the UPA government after the exit of Trinamool Congress, BJP will demand a special session of Parliament to discuss the issue of FDI in retail even though its key ally JD-U is not in favour. (Agencies)