Opposition to Eco Reform: Mamata gives 72 hour ultimatum to UPA govt.

New Delhi/Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress Sunday said it would be forced to take a "hard decision" if the UPA government fails to change its decision on allowing FDI in retail and the hike in diesel price. However, West Bengal state Congress chief Pradip Bhattacharjee said that there would be no problem to stability of the government if Trinamool decides to quit.

Trinamool leader and Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy said party chief Mamata Banerjee will convene a meeting of the parliamentary party to take a final call on the issue. On Friday, Banerjee chief gave the government 72 hours to "rethink" its decision on allowing FDI in retail and the diesel price hike.

"She (Banerjee) has given 72 hours to the central government to modify, change its decision in regard to cancellation of diesel price hike, the cap on supply of LPG cylinders and introducing FDI in retail. If there is no response from the central government by that time, the Trinamool Congress will sit and take a hard decision," Roy told Times Now channel here.

He said the timing of Tuesday's parliamentary party meeting has not been fixed yet.

Party MP Kunal Ghosh had said earlier that the parliamentary party was meeting on Tuesday to decide on withdrawing support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and to instead support it from outside.

"As of now the time of the parliamentary party meeting has not been fixed, we will sit together and take a decision. This involves not only our party but also concerns the people. Trinamool in past also opposed fuel price hike whether it be of petrol or diesel. It is a serious matter... Trinamool has taken it very seriously," Roy said.

The Trinamool is an important constituent of the ruling United Progressive Alliance.

Earlier, Ghosh said Mamata Banerjee has convened a meeting of the parliamentary party Tuesday to take a final call in this regard.

"We have opposed the anti-people decisions taken by the government and Trinamool parliamentary party will meet on Tuesday. We will review the situation and take appropriate decision," Ghosh said.

The government Friday decided to allow up to 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, which Banerjee has been fiercely against.

Ghosh said the party was keeping all its "options open".

'You may go'

Stressing that Trinamool Congress can oppose and offer its own proposals even while staying in the union government, West Bengal state Congress chief Pradip Bhattacharjee Sunday said there will be no problem to its stability if Trinamool decides to quit.

"We want Trinamool to stay both in the cabinet and in the government. They can oppose and can offer their own proposals by staying in the government also, for that they don't need to leave the government," said Bhattacharjee.

Bhattacharjee made light of her threats.

"And even after so much persuasion, if they decide to leave (the government), they can do it. We don't have any problem," he said.

Trinamool has 19 MPs in the Lok Sabha and six ministers in the government.

Meanwhile, Rashid Alvi, Congress spokesperson expressed confidence about sorting out the matter with the Trinamool chief.

"It is an internal matter, Mamataji is a respected leader of the government, we do not want to make any comment. Even if we have some differences we will sort it out," he said.

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