Didi, SP, RJD to queer reform pitch in RS

NEW DELHI: Union railway minister Mamata Banerjee���s tantrums and the determination of the two Yadav leaders - Mulayam Singh and Lalu Prasad - may come in the way of pushing key reforms bill in Parliament. Congress is critically dependent on ���outsiders��� such as SP and RJD for overcoming the numerical deficit in the Rajya Sabha.

That the government cannot count on the Trinamool Congress to back reform legislation was evident at the last Cabinet meeting when Ms Banerjee threatened to walk out over the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill. Ms Banerjee���s views on economy are more compatible with the Left than the prime minister���s. She can be expected to outmatch the Left in opposing every reform measure.

What could also complicate matters for Congress is the rebellion by the two Yadavs. Piqued over ���stepmotherly��� treatment by Congress, SP and RJD have been virtually functioning as Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha. SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has already said he would back Ms Banerjee���s opposition to the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill.

Prime minister���s colleagues are not making matters easy for him. While the proposal to review security for Mr Singh and Mr Prasad was perceived to be Congress��� way of getting back at them, the party has refused to form a coordination panel that could provide the government with an opportunity to get them on board over important issues. It be recalled that SP general secretary Amar Singh had recently complained that Congress president even denied an audience to SP leaders. SP and RJD have also agreed to coordinate with non-BJP parties inside Parliament.

This does not augur well for the government which wants to push key financial sector reforms like Banking Regulation Amendment bill and the SBI Amendment Bill. Pension Reforms Bill is also expected to be taken up by the Cabinet next week. The Pension Reforms Bill has already been cleared by the law ministry.