Finally, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal has pulled her ministers out of the UPA government. The Congress has severed ties with the Trinamul Congress. So far, there had been little forward movement in the performance of the UPA government. P for progressive in UPA had been rendered meaningless. After ousting the Left from power in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee largely adopted the Left’s economic reservations. Now, unfettered by her formidable presence, the UPA can go ahead with its reform agenda which is a must. The Congress in West Bengal will no longer be in alliance with the Trinamul Congress and can now pursue sensible Central policies. The Left also will have no option but to move towards the Centre, rejecting the hostile stand of Prakash Karat. That will improve the political climate of West Bengal.
Banerjee’s exit from the UPA caused jitters among market analysts. But the stock market has gone up significantly hailing the exit. It is happy with the fact that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who was called useless (nikama) by BJP leader L.K. Advani has shown his firmness in his commitment to reform. A significant part of the country’s infrastructure can now be free from populism. Hopefully, more necessary reforms will be added to the present agenda. The government will have to fight food inflation. The import duty on sugar has to be lifted. Grain has to be offloaded from its overflowing stocks in sufficient quantities to bring grain prices down. Trains should be refrigerated to ensure that vegetables transported from villages to towns remain fresh. Lack of it is one of the main causes of the price spiral. Economic progress will lead to political stability.