Trinamool's no-trust move gets muted response

Trinamool Congress' plans for a no-confidence motion against UPA government on FDI and other issues in Lok Sabha today found no takers in the Left parties while BJP kept its cards close to the chest.

The success of Trinamool's proposed motion depends much on BJP, which is meeting here today to take a call on the issue, and on the stand of Samajwadi Party and BSP, who both appear at the moment not inclined to rock the boat.

"We think it (no-confidence motion) will not very helpful at this stage because it will help the government. Everyone knows the UPA government has the numbers.

"If you fail and the motion is defeated, it will help the government cover up all its wrongdoings and it will help it to claim that has the Parliament mandate," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here.

CPI National Secretary D Raja virtually echoed Karat's views and said one has to see whose backing the motion gets and what are the issues.

However, the main opposition BJP, whose support is crucial for Trinamool if the motion has to succeed, refused to declare its strategy today.

At present, the government enjoys the support of about 265 MPs, including 18 of DMK, in a house of 545. With the support of Samajwadi Party (22) and BSP (21), the backing for the ruling coalition goes a little over 300, which is comfortable over the required 273 in Lok Sabha.

BSP and SP together or individually have not shown signs of withdrawing support so far.

"We will take a decision on the issue tomorrow at the meeting of the executive of the BJP Parliamentary Party tomorrow," said party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar.

The meeting is taking place tomorrow at L K Advani's residence at 11 AM. Later, the NDA will also meet in the evening and strategise its plans for cornering the government in the forthcoming Winter Session of Parliament starting November 22.

A section of the party, however, feels that the no trust motion looks "premature" as a lot of groundwork is required to garner enough support for it to succeed on the floor of the Lok Sabha.