Veiled threats from UPA allies on Centre's reform decisions

At the same time, remarks made by the leaders of the three parties, which account for 62 Lok Sabha members, appeared to be ambivalent on whether they would really bite the bullet by withdrawing support to the government.

The UPA coalition enjoys the support of over 310 MPs in the Lok Sabha where 273 constitutes a simple majority in a House of 545.

Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose party with 19 MPs is the second largest constituent in the UPA after the Congress, strongly opposed the Centre's reforms decisions and warned that her party would take "hard decisions" if they are not withdrawn.

"We have called a party meeting on Tuesday to discuss these issues. If the Centre does not roll back the hike in diesel price and withdraw decisions on FDI in multi-brand retail and LPG, we will take decisions, however hard they may. I hope the people will not misunderstand," Banerjee told a rally in Kolkata.

She said her party would not like to topple the UPA government. "We are not in favour of quitting the government. We are always in favour of not breaking the alliance. But we are committed to the people." MORE