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The meeting of the Congress core group chaired by Gandhi at the Prime Minister's residence deliberated at length on the political scenario after Mamata Banerjee's announcement of withdrawing support to the government.
They were expected to discuss if a two-day window left open by Mamata Banerjee can be used to negotiate with her on her demands. Trinamool chief had said that her six ministers will submit their resignation only on Friday
They were also likely to discuss the demands of ally DMK, which wants decisions of diesel price hike withdrawn.
Minutes before the core group meeting began, the Prime Minister held confabulation with Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
There have been indications from the party earlier that they should be "ready to bite the bullet" as reforms are necessary at this juncture.
Trinamool Congress yesterday decided to withdraw its ministers from the Union government and its support.
The second biggest constituent of the UPA with 19 members in Lok Sabha said the party could reconsider its stand if the government rolls back its decisions on FDI, raised the cap on subsidised LPG from six to 12 cylinders besides reducing diesel hike from Rs 5 by Rs 3 or Rs 4.
"We are withdrawing our support... Our ministers will go to Delhi, meet the Prime Minister and tender their resignations at 3 pm on Friday," the TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister had said.
Immediately after the Trinamool's announcement yesterday, Digvijay Singh said on twitter, "FDI decision was taken in national interest fulling knowing its political fallout and I hope the government will stand firm as it did on the nuclear deal."
If the Trinamool Congress goes ahead with its decision to withdraw support, the UPA will be reduced to 251, 21 short of the majority mark of 272 in the 545-member Lok Sabha. However, with the support of outside allies – Samajwadi Party (22), BSP (21) and some others – the government is still comfortably placed with the support of over 300 members.
Last time senior Ministers were in Huddle with Baba Ramdev and this time from Sonia to PM to senior congress leaders are in huddle over the more serious issue of Ms.Mamta Bannerji's withdrawl of support with regard to Diesel Price rise and FDI. Ms.Mamta is absolutely right in withdrawing support because Congress was taking TMC for a ride, forgetting that she is neither Mulayam Singh nor Mayawati who can be scared with fear of CBI. She is an upright and honest politician, not a tail wagger. Apart from Diesel price rise and FDI, she has clearly endorsed the views of the CAG/opposition and thinking of the nation that both these issues have nothing to do with REFORMS but to divert public attention from COAL SCAM. Therefore what PM & Sonia will discuss? The mask of PM as honest person and Sonia as not power hungry, has been ripped apart. Nevertheless Congress should wash coal blackened face and pray for survival not only to God but to Mulayam & Maya as well.
