Govt safe despite DMK withdrawal, says Chidambaram

Union finance minister P. Chidambaram said the government would have enough support in Parliament to pass legislation. Photo: PTI

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Updated: Wed, Mar 20 2013. 12 52 PM IST

New Delhi: Indian ministers reiterated on Wednesday that the withdrawal of support by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) from the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) doesn’t threaten the government, while also signalling that the government was keen on persuading the Tamil Nadu party to change its mind.

Finance minister P. Chidambaram told reporters that India may seek amendments to the text of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on Sri Lanka and will consult political parties to introduce a resolution in Parliament to criticize the island nation for human rights violations. The DMK had demanded earlier that the government strengthen the tone of the resolution censuring Sri Lanka.

Party chief M. Karunanidhi had indicated that the DMK may review the decision if its demands were met.

Chidambaram, however, said the government has enough support in Parliament to pass legislation.

“I am sure, on the merits of reform Bills, political parties will support the government,” he said. The withdrawal by the DMK would not affect the government’s ability to cut the fiscal deficit.

The government is looking to pass several Bills in the current session of Parliament to restore investor confidence and stave off a ratings downgrade. These include legislation on India’s insurance and pension sectors besides land acquisition.

The DMK submitted a formal letter of withdrawal to the President on Tuesday night, and three of its five ministers submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday. The other two are expected to do so soon.

Parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath said the UPA government will survive.

“The UPA is not a lame-duck government, we are stable. The test is on the floor of the House. No political party has challenged the majority of this government,” Nath said.

Reuters contributed to this story.

 

rohit singh

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