NCP demands coordination committee for UPA-II

At a time when there seems to be a lack of cohesion between coalition partners of the ruling Congress-led UPA at the Centre, NCP—a key constituent of alliance, has demanded a coordination committee for a smooth functioning of the Union government.

Asked about differing opinions coming from different coalition partners on various issues, which is damaging the image of UPA government, NCP general secretary DP Tripathi told Deccan Herald that “For cohesion in UPA-2 government and different coalition partners, a coordination committee should be formed.”

However, in an indirect criticism of another coalition partner—TMC, the NCP leader said that “our attitude is not negative. It is suggestive and positive”.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader made this demand a day after TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s took her vitriolic against Congress to a new level.

Attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, Banerjee blamed the Union government for going back on the promise of providing financial assistance to West Bengal.

'The Central government has not done anything to help West Bengal financially in the last eight months.

Before the Assembly elections , they made tall promises, which were never translated into action,' Banerjee said in an interview given to a Bengali TV channel.

Earlier, TMC had opposed UPA government’s decision to allow 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail, as well as the provision in the Lokpal Bill for setting up Lokayuktas in the states.

Asked about the attitude of Congress party to form coordination committee to resolve differences among allies on various matters, Tripathi said: “They have been postponing it for long”.

Speaking on the issue of post-poll alliance in UP amid talks of Congress keeping all options open for post-poll tie up with non-BJP parties in the state, Tripathi suggested that Samajwadi party would be a better option as compared to Bahujan Samaj Party.
“Samajwadi Party would be a better option for post-poll alliance for Congress in UP, and for the coalition at the Centre as well,” Tripathi said.