NEW DELHI:With UPA constituent Trinamool Congress stiffly opposing decisions like FDI in retail and rail fare hike, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday admitted “difficulties” in managing the coalition and said allies will be consulted whenever “tough” decisions are taken.
He said the government was committed to bringing about faster, equitable, sustainable and more inclusive growth at the rate of 8-9 per cent while ensuring that there is no “slip on our obligations” to moderate the price rise. “Right now, the challenge before the country is to accelerate the tempo of economic growth,” Singh said while commenting on the general budget and said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had tackled these well.
Asked whether allies like Mamata Banerjee were on board in the government’s reforms process, he said “well, I think these are compulsions of managing a coalition. “There will be difficulties. There have been difficulties but ultimately if the government is to govern, it must have a sustainable strategy of managing the economy. I sincerely hope when the time comes to take relevant decisions which are tough, we will consult all our allies and take them on board.”
The statement assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of stiff opposition by Trinamool to reform measures like allowing FDI in multibrand retail and raising railway passenger fares. (PTI)
