PM's dinner for allies amid reprimands from DMK, Mamata

New Delhi:  On a day when two senior partners in his coalition snubbed the government, the Prime Minister is hosting a dinner for all his allies. The meet-and-greet is being held at his residence, 7 Race Course Road. The National Conference's Farooq Abdullah is present; TR Baalu is representing the DMK. Mamata Banerjee's RSVP is causing much political angst - she has deputed her MP Ratna De Nag. Sharad Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party or NCP fainted in the Lok Sabha today and was discharged from hospital this evening; his deputy and union minister Praful Patel is at the dinner instead. (Read: Pawar faints in Lok Sabha, discharged from hospital)
The Congress has been criticised lately by its allies for poor coordination and for failing to consult them. Tonight's dinner is seen as a chance to rebuild bridges amid reports that the coalition is on shaky ground. Ms Banerjee has denied interest in exiting the government or in exploring political options, but her actions have suggested otherwise. Talk of a Third Front with the Samajwadi Party, the Left and Chandrababu Naidu's TDP continues to do the rounds.  
Earlier today, Ms Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and the DMK made public moves that undermine the government.
The President's address to Parliament inaugurates the first session of the new year and explains the government's agenda. Yesterday, President Pratibha Patil delivered her speech, launching the budget session, Today, the DMK and Mamata Banerjee registered their protests by asking for amendments to that speech.

Ms Banerjee has asked her MPs to move an amendment that asks for the reference to the new National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) deleted. The chief minister of West Bengal has been the Group Captain for ten chief ministers who have objected to the NCTC on the grounds that its powers encroach upon those of state governments. The Centre has delayed the commissioning of the NCTC till an extensive dialogue is completed with states.

President Patil had said in para 91 of her speech, "The National Intelligence Grid and the National Counter Terrorism Centre aim to improve India's capability to counter internal security threats." Because state governments have not lifted their objections to the NCTC, Ms Banerjee's party wants its mention to be removed. In the Lok Sabha today, Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "I believe NCTC is an absolute necessity; I do not believe it violates the federal structure."

The DMK's amendments want the President's address to reflect India's stand on alleged war crimes by the Sri Lankan government. A resolution backed by the US against reported atrocities will come up within the next few days at the United Nations Human Rights Council at Geneva. The DMK has said India must vote against Sri Lanka. The party also wants the President's address to refer to the repeated arrests by Sri Lanka of fishermen from Tamil Nadu.

Ms Banerjee late last year forced the government to suspend its reforms in retail just days after they were announced. With her 19 MPs, she is an indispensable partner in the UPA. She also accused the Centre of violating the principles of federalism late last year, when the Centre introduced the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha. Though the bill was passed there, it has yet to be cleared by the Rajya Sabha. She also accused the Centre of violating the principles of federalism late last year, when the Centre introduced the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill in the Lok Sabha. Though the bill was passed there, it has yet to be cleared by the Rajya Sabha.

Though Ms Banerjee has said that she remains committed to the UPA, her recent gestures suggest she is not closed to exploring other options. She accepted invites to the swearing-in ceremonies for Akhilesh Yadav in UP and the Akali-BJP government in Punjab; the Congress took offense. Later, she said she would send representatives instead.

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PM's dinner for allies tonight comes amid tension with Mamata, DMK

New Delhi:  The Prime Minister has invited his allies to a dinner at his residence in the capital tonight. The dinner, say sources, will be held in the gardens of 7, Race Course Road. The meet-and-greet comes as two major allies of the ruling coalition, the DMK and Mamata Banerjee, have expressed serious differences with government policy.
Ms Banerjee has chosen not to attend the dinner - she will be represented by Ratna Dey Nag, an MP from her party, the Trinamool Congress. Her RSVP will undoubtedly cause a new anxiety attack within the Congress which has been dealing with reports that Ms Banerjee is exploring other political alliances. Though she has denied any interest in quitting the UPA, her actions depict a relationship stretched to breaking point. Adding to the divided house of the UPA is the DMK, which has told the government that it wants India to vote against Sri Lanka for "alleged war crimes" at the next session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

First, Ms Banerjee. In a move that greatly undermines the UPA, her MPs have asked for a formal change to President Pratibha Patil's speech made in Parliament yesterday. The President's address inaugurates the Budget session by outlining the government's agenda. Ms Banerjee wants an amendment that asks for a reference to the new National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to be deleted. Ms Banerjee has captained a series of chief ministers who object to the NCTC because they find it impinges upon the authority of state governments. Since late last year, Ms Banerjee has fought the UPA on the Lokpal Bill, petrol prices, and reforms in retail, which the government was forced to suspend because of her ardent objections.

The DMK has told the UPA that India must vote against Sri Lanka in a resolution moved by the US that asks for a detailed investigation into alleged human rights violations and war crimes by President Rajapaksa's government. However, the Prime Minister's reply to DMK chief M Karunanidhi seems to suggest this is unlikely. The PM says India wants to work with stake-holders so that "rather than deepening confrontation and mis-trust between the concerned parties, a way forward is found on issues related to accountability and reconciliation."

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PM invites allies to dinner amid Third Front chatter, Rahul is abroad

New Delhi:  One of the big challenges for the Congress in the new budget session that has begun today will be keeping its flock together - a flock that has increasingly appeared headed in different political directions. Mamata Banerjee, in particular, has been reported to be straying towards enemy lines. She has also often accused the Congress of taking allies like her for granted, and of not consulting them before announcing big-ticket policy changes.

The Prime Minister will host a dinner tomorrow night to build unity and perhaps more importantly, morale. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is likely to attend. Her son, Rahul, who accepted the responsibility for the Congress' horror story in the UP elections has travelled abroad. It is expected to be an al fresco affair at 7 Race Course Road, catered to by the ITDC, which runs Delhi's five-star Ashoka Hotel.

Since the Congress' whipping in the elections in Punjab and UP, the speculation about a Third Front that would include Ms Banerjee has reached fever pitch. Parties like Chandrababu Naidu's TDP and Naveen Patnaik's BJD have reportedly begun coveting Ms Banerjee's political support as leaders have begun contemplating the possibility of early general elections. Today, however, Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar and high on the most-wanted list for a Third Front said he does not believe mid-term polls will take place.

Ms Banerjee was invited by the Akalis to the swearing-in of their government in Punjab. She was also asked to attend Akhilesh Yadav's swearing-in as chief minister of UP. After initially indicating that she would go to both ceremonies, her party said that because the Assembly session in West Bwngal begins this week. Ms Banerjee will remain in Kolkata but will send representatives to Lucknow and Chandigarh. Her changed itinerary followed a warning from the Congress which spelled out its displeasure. Allies are expected not to cross the "Lakshman Rekha," said the Congress.

If Ms Banerjee and her 19 MPs decide to exit the UPA - she has repeatedly said that's not on her agenda - the Congress could look for more support to Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose 22 MPs have often bailed out the government by voting with the Congress on key matters.  But his total sweep of UP has gifted Mr Yadav and his young son, Akhilesh, much cachet and leverage.  Akhilesh said today that talk of a Third Front is "a good thing."

The Congress also has to contend with partners like the DMK who have vowed to reject any policy or legislation that violates federalism or the authority of state governments. 

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