The government recently found itself at the receiving end as the ruling coalition partners protested yet another increase in petrol prices, wherein even Congress reached out to the Centre to undertake some steps to pacify the public uproar. The prime demand was to consider, at least, a partial roll back of the hike in petrol prices.
"Enough is enough," an agitated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quoted as saying, as she reiterated that the United Progressive Alliance government will fall apart without the necessary support of Trinamool and other allies. Moreover, she set the cat among the pigeons by saying that her MPs had "unanimously decided to withdraw from the ruling coalition".
However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not seem to pay much heed to the strong reactions coming from the opposition. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of the G-20 deliberations in Cannes, he said, "We must move in the direction of decontrolling more prices. I have no hesitation in saying markets must find their own levels."
But, it is important to note that after the high-scale anger and immense pressure built by the allies and opposition, reconsideration over the decision to hike the prices can be expected soon. Further, the issue can actually find a place at the top of the PM's to-do list when he comes back. With the Winter Session of Parliament being round the corner and Congress struggling to absorb the effects of strong resentment and serious threats, heading towards a solution becomes mandatory for the government.
The government's situation becomes more complex with the Gandhian transparency campaigner Anna Hazare becoming active once again by recently including price rise in the anti-graft agenda. He said that the menace of corruption was the primary cause of untamed inflation in the country. Protesting against the hike, Hazare said, "How does the government think people can survive. The oil companies and the government are in league."
Trinamool Congress's reaction was the most intensifying, with party MPs unanimously "deciding" to withdraw their support from the UPA in view of the Friday's hike. However, party chief Mamata Banerjee has put the decision on hold till she discusses with the Prime Minister but she appreciated her MPs for their decision. "They are in favour of pulling out of the government. I am proud of their decision, somebody has to bell the cat, and I am glad they took the decision. But it is essential to hold a discussion before taking a conclusive step," she said.
Banerjee also reminded that Trinamool, along with other United Progressive Alliance partners, is a prerequisite for coalition's survival. "Congress is a big party, ours is small. But the government in Delhi is running with support from smaller partners namely DMK, NCP and Trinamool Congress. In this state, we (Trinamool) have two-thirds majority and still we are in the government (with the Congress). There are strong compulsions in alliance politics," the Chief Minister said.
Thus, the government must reframe its policies in a way that these befit the wants of the public as well as its allies, at least to some extent, in order to shield from the deadly attacks.
