New Delhi, Nov 8 : Rising fuel prices have been giving sleepless nights not just to the aam aadmi but also the UPA Government, which has come under severe criticism from its ally, the Trinamool Congress. Ahead of the crucial meeting between the Prime Minister and Trinamool MPs on Tuesday, sources say a partial rollback in the petrol price hike is being considered.
Trinamool Chief and West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has accused the UPA of poor coordination with its allies, and said that on crucial decisions they are never taken on board and it’s this message from Mamata which her 18 MPs will carry to the Prime Minister on Tuesday.
Congress is aware that the argument by Mamata is often an escape route by her to save herself from the unpopular decisions of the UPA.
Mamata’s real demand and anger lies elsewhere, she wants a finance package from the central government and she will push for this as she meets Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Congress’ worry is that ahead of the winter session of Parliament, its defences could get weak with strong words coming in from its most powerful ally and hence, the need to reach out.
The pleasing-Mamata process has already begun. Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has written to Mamata promising her an increase in the limit of PM gram sadak yojana upto 1000 kilometers.