New Delhi: The Congress Parliamentary Party that met Thursday morning, backed the Union Finance Minister's budgetary proposals.
While indicating there will be no fuel price rollback, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi made clear that rising prices remain a big concern and food inflation detracts from the UPA's accomplishments.
Sonia asked the government to address these issues fast. Bills on food security and women's reservation should be top legislative priorities of the government, she said further.
But the UPA remains divided on the issue of hiking fuel prices though the Congress Core Committee has already supported the Prime Minister, saying there should be no immediate rollback.
The UPA allies like the Trinamool Congress and DMK continue to insist on a rollback of the fuel prices. Sonia and Pranab Mukherjee are expected to speak to the allies to convince them of the need for a hike. The UPA is likely to meet soon to plan strategy against the Opposition.
Sonia appreciated Pranab Mukherjee for a balanced Budget and supported his proposals, hinting there is no question of any immediate rollback on fuel price hike.
But the Congress party feels one of the most important issues the government must deal with is the price hike as it over-shadows other achievements of the UPA government.
At the same time, the government understands the imparity amongst the allies, regarding the women's reservation Act which is another issue the govt has to deal with.
But the Opposition is closing ranks on the issue. The BJP parliamentary party met Thursday morning and decided to go ahead with the plan to bring a cut motion in the Parliament on fuel price.
The Opposition is planning to make their protests broad-based. Left parties too are holding consultations with other secular parties inside and outside the Parliament on the issue.
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