Congress sticks to its stand, Mamata ridicules LPG cap increase

Sonia Gandhi also directs Congress ruled states to increase subsidised LPG cylinders from six to nine

Congress President and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has directed all Congress ruled states to subsidise three additional cylinders for domestic LPG users, thus pushing up the cap on subsidised cylinders from six to nine. Gandhi’s decision came within an hour of the Core Committee of the Congress party which she chaired at the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s residence this morning in the wake of the TMC pullout from the UPA. Thereby Gandhi sent out a clear message to all parties including disgruntled ally Trinamool Congress that the Congress led UPA intends to stick to its stand and not roll back any of its controversial economic decisions. Despite the threat by TMC ministers to resign en masse on Friday, the decision that emanated from the core committee was that there could be certain relaxations like in the case of LPG.

When the Core Committee met this morning speculation was rife that the party might do a rethink on its decisions in view of the political fallout; the TMC withdrawing support and allies like the SP, BSP and the DMK showing signs of restlessness. Opposition BJP bolstered by Shiv Sena and JD(U) had started talk of calling a special session of Parliament for a vote of confidence.

Nonetheless, Finance minister P Chidambaram speaking to reporters after stepping out from the Core committee stated that the government and the PM had attempted to speak to Banerjee but she was not available. 

An incensed Banerjee, soon lashed out the Congress and its ministers alleging that it was a “distortion of facts” and no attempt had been made to contact her. She also ridiculed the increase in cap of LPG cylinders announced by the government.