Parliament session to test UPA's majority? BJP not sure

The Bharatiya Janata Party was on Friday evasive on whether it will demand a floor test in Parliament to determine if the Manmohan Singh-led government enjoyed a majority, following the withdrawal of support to it by Trinamool Congress.

"Today is an important day for the nation as half a dozen ministers of the anti-common man UPA government are resigning from it. This government has become a burden on the common man and these resignations are paving the way for freeing the people from it," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

He described the resignation of the TMC ministers as a "good step and a pro-people one. BJP congratulates TMC for abandoning the sinking ship of the UPA government," said Hussain.

When asked if the BJP would demand that a special session of Parliament be convened and the government's strength be put to test, the main opposition was evasive.

"As a responsible opposition, we are at the moment keeping a keen eye on the developments taking place," Hussain said, while insisting that with the TMC's withdrawal of support, the government right now does not enjoy a majority.

The BJP hit out at Samajwadi Party for acting as "oxygen" for the government which has "failed" to check price rise and has taken "anti-people measures" like allowing FDI in multi-brand retail and rationing of LPG.

"Samajwadi Party has taken to the streets. It has created the confusion of being with the Opposition but it is also supporting the government," Hussain said.

He alleged that while SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav claims to support the United Progressive Alliance to keep communal forces at bay, the party-ruled Uttar Pradesh is the only state which is witnessing frequent communal riots.