However, the Centre is now in a mood to stare Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee down.
In fact, sources said the Centre would do its best to edge Banerjee out of the government, replace her with Mulayam Singh Yadav and get economic reforms going.
The crucial railways ministry is with Banerjee's party and in desperate need of reform. Banerjee sacked former minister Dinesh Trivedi because he attempted changes in the fare structure.
Banerjee is also opposed to FDI in civil aviation and retail. However, as Yadav's Samajwadi Party is also opposed to FDI in retail, it is hard to see how this measure will clear the Cabinet even if the Trinamool is replaced.
The government is conscious that diesel and LPG subsidies have to be pared if not ended altogether.
It was chary of doing that because it feared Banerjee's wrath. Now, with Yadav on board, the measures could happen in a few months.