PM may offer compromise formula to Mamata

Though the war-of-nerves between UPA government and its second biggest ally Trinamool Congress is still on, there is an indication also to resolve the issue on behalf of the Prime Minister.

According to unconfirmed reports, perturbed Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Sigh is likely to talk with Mamata Banerjee with a compromise formula to pacify her and restrain her from ‘hard decisions’. Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi has also expressed confidence of sorting out the matter with the Trinamool chief hinting an escape route to cool her down.

According to the compromise formula, likely to be offered, hiked diesel price will be slashed from Rs 5 to Rs 3.50 or Rs 4 and allow 8 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders to domestic consumers at subsidized rate. Earlier it was the then Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s tricks that used to pacify Mamata. In Pranab’s absence, Congress is finding it tough to cool her temper down.

TMC sources informed that the compromise formula reached her after she hinted pulling out TMC ministers from Union Cabinet Sunday evening. “Congress wants to get Didi’s nod on FDI in retail against partial roll-back on fuel front. But, Didi will never let FDI in Retail. Let’s see, what happens,” said a senior TMC leader.

Railway minister and TMC leader Mukul Roy said, “Mamata Banerjee will take final decision on the next course of action on Tuesday’s Parliamentary Party meeting."

This has necessitated a new compromise formula including FDI in Retail, which may find out an escape route for Manmohan-Chidambaram duo. Union Cabinet has approved 51 per cent FDI in retail which might again be curtailed down to anywhere between 33 percent and 49 percent, as she agrees.
 
Earlier, Mamata Banerjee threatened to take ‘hard decisions’ if the Centre does not reverse the decisions on diesel and cooking gas price hikes and allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector within 72 hours. At the same time she said that she does not favour pulling down the government pushing the nation for fresh general elections. She fears, some other parties may join UPA if she withdraws support. As UPA ally TMC has 19 MPs while Samajwadi Party has 22 MPs.