Trinamool blasts hopes of reforms in Budget session

Fears that the government's reform agenda would be set back further after the drubbing of the Congress in the recent state assembly elections are already proving well founded. The Trinamool Congress, a key constituent of the union government, on Friday said it would oppose any cut in fuel or fertiliser subsides in the upcoming session of Parliament.

The party also said it would continue to stand against other proposed measures like allowing foreign investment (FDI) in retail and a national counter-terrorism centre.

"Wherever the interest of the common people is concerned we are ready to raise our voice on the floor of the House. If it was done earlier, it can be repeated again," Trinamool parliamentary party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay said after a party meeting in Kolkata on Friday.

The meeting of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) - chaired by its supremo, West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee – was called to chalk out the party's strategy for the budget session of Parliament that starts on Monday.

Bandopadhyay said his party would oppose any move towards a hike in petrol prices or a cut in fuel subsidies, or creating a central national counter-terrorism centre.

The TMC is the most important partner in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, having the second-largest number of seats in Parliament. But it has always proved a fractious partner, opposing all important economic proposals in favour of the status quo.