In a huge relief for the UPA government, mid term polls may not happen after all. With the TMC withdrawing their support, the govt would have been in a minority. But Mulayam Singh comes to the govt's rescue.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Mulayam Singh said his Samajwadi Party will support the UPA government, taking the tally of Lok Sabha MPs to 276, above the halfway mark by 5 votes.
He said he had differences with the govt over FDI in retail but he wants to keep communal forces out of power. He also said mid-term polls are unlikely. However, he did say that a third front may be a possibility in the 2014 elections but refused say who would lead that front.
Trinamool has six ministers in the UPA government. Reports say senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh may be given the Railway Ministry after Mukul Roy resigns later today.
Trinamool Congress, UPA's second largest ally decided to withdraw support as the government refused a rollback on diesel price hike, FDI in retail and raise the cap on cooking gas cylinder.
Meanwhile, Salman Khurshid said Mamata's TMC is a respected ally but their views don't match with the govt's.
According to TV channels, Mayawati's BSP will also lend outside support to the UPA govt to avoid going to early polls.
