Allies with us on reforms: Sibal

Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) Asserting that the government’s allies were firmly behind it on banking and insurance sector reforms, Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal blamed the BJP for sabotaging the passage of key bills in parliament.

“I want to assure you all that on the question of reforms, the allies are firmly behind the government. Even if there are differences we are capable of pursuing them through discussions and coordination,” Sibal said on the sidelines of a programme here.

Allies such as the Trinamool Congress — which is the second-largest constituent in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) — have been at loggerheads with the alliance partner Congress.

The Trinamool, headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has voiced opposition to various UPA policies and decisions related to the Teesta river water sharing with Bangladesh, foreign direct investment in retail and reforms in the banking and insurance sectors.

“We don’t have any problems with the allies. It is the opposition which is stalling everything whether it is discussions in the standing committee of parliament or on the floor of the house. They are creating roadblocks in the growth story of India,” he said.

Sibal even took potshots at the media for highlighting the alleged policy paralysis of the government by not highlighting the disruptions created by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in parliament.

“The media is saying there is policy paralysis. I will say there is no policy paralysis. It is the BJP which is trying to create policy paralysis but they will not succeed,” said Sibal.

IANS 2012-09-12 16:56:06