CWC endorses govt's new economic reform measures

The endorsement came at the first meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) after Trinamool Congress walked out of UPA with the Congress President Sonia Gandhi saying the reforms were "very necessary" and the government has begun the moves in that direction.

While no resolution was adopted at the meeting, the tone and tenor of Gandhi's speech made it clear that the party was fully behind the government on the reforms decisions that had led to a political storm and withdrawal of Trinamool Congress support to the government.

Gandhi saw no no threat to the government saying it was "stable". Though she did not take any names, sources said Gandhi mentioned in her opening remarks that while one party (Trinamool Congress) has withdrawn support from UPA, two allies (SP and BSP) have reiterated their outside support to the government.

"Government is stable. There is no threat to the government," Dwivedi quoted Gandhi as saying in the meeting.

At the same time, there was a demand in the meeting for steps to allay apprehensions of people regarding the new economic reform measures initiated by the government at a time when elections are due in some states in the next few months.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured the party's apex decision-making body that steps for the poor and the disadvantaged will continue in league with the Congress policies for development and welfare of the 'Aam Admi' (common man). (More)