JOIN USCong backs UPA's reform measures
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which met here on Tuesday in the backdrop of tough reform measures taken by the UPA government, has endorsed the Manmohan Singh Cabinet’s decisions.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambram staunchly defended the measures stating that they were “necessary to take the country forward” economically.
Members were concerned that the increase in diesel price, cap on subsidised LPG cylinders and allowing FDI in retail sector could have an impact on the party’s poll prospects in the upcoming Assemble elections in some states.
However, after the prime minister and the finance minister explained the reasons and necessity for initiating economic reforms, the CWC, highest decision-making body of the party, endorsed the government decisions and stressed that all steps would be taken to allay apprehensions of the people on the matter.
Chidambaram said such decisions were necessary in the wake of global economic meltdown as the government does not want the country to get affected by the financial crisis in different parts of the world.
He made it clear that to fund flagship schemes of the United Progressive Alliance government such economic decisions are necessary.
Backing the government’s decisions, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said such steps were “very necessary”. She further said that financial measures of the Centre saw the Trinamool Congress moving out of the alliance, but assured partymen that there was no threat to the government.
Senior party leader Karan Singh also raised the issue of coal block allocation controversy which he said had dented government’s image and sought strong action against those involved in it.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi suggested that without any delay, the Congress should announce that the party will contest 2014 Lok Sabha elections under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.
However, there was no response from anyone to Jogi’s suggestion. Rahul, who has been maintaining silence even at the time of political upheaval in the wake of coal controversy and economic reforms introduced by the government, kept silent at CWC meeting except terming the militant threats to panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir a matter of “serious consideration”.
Rahul’s brief response came after CWC member Gulchain Singh Charak pointed out that elected Panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir had not been given required powers and that they are facing threats from militants.