JOIN USThe Congress was apparently relieved after indications from the Trinamool Congress that it could give up its belligerence — at least for now — and not press for a roll back, if the government favourably consider the demand for a hefty economic package for West Bengal and setting up of a mechanism that would give the party more say on policy matters.
Trinamool Congress MP and Union Minister of State for Health Sudeep Bandopadhyay said his party was not seeking a rollback, but a mechanism for the greater participation of all the constituents of the UPA in decision making.
“During the talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, I hope they (Trinamool MPs) will understand some points and the PM can also make changes in the present system,” Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid said, adding: “No government increases prices of fuel out of pleasure or joy. No government increases the prices of fuel to keep in its own pocket. We cannot isolate ourselves from the global economic scenario.”
The Trinamool MPs are also likely to get an assurance from the prime minister that there will not be an immediate hike in prices of diesel and LPG.
Party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stay back in Kolkata, where she is likely to hold a meeting with Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the financial situation of the state.