Govt will win confidence vote; corporate have no role: FM
Exuding confidence that the UPA government will win the vote of confidence comfortably, Finance Minister P Chidambaram rejected allegations of horse trading.
He also made it clear that the government would not abdicate its responsibility in managing the economy saying it would be in office till the next elections.
"It is all entirely speculative. It is a creation of the media. I don't think corporates have any role in either saving or defeating the government. I think it is an exaggerated notion of corporate power," he said in an interview.
He was replying to queries on media reports about the influence of the corporates and their money power in the ensuing vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha on July 22.
On the chances of government's survival, he said "my colleagues in the party, especially party officials, are extremely confident that we will win the confidence vote comfortably."
"We have lost the art of moderation in politics. Every accusation and every statement is either exaggerated or extreme. The allegation of Rs 25 crore to win over an MP is outrageous.
"There is no basis for this allegation. We must return to the politics of moderation and use only moderate language and rhetoric in commenting on political development," the Finance Minister said.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.