Mamata Banerjee withdraws support to UPA government

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress, the second biggest constituent of the UPA, today dealt a major blow to the Manmohan Singh government when it decided to withdraw its support on the issue of petroleum price hike, FDI in retail and corruption. 

"We are withdrawing our support. Our ministers will go to Delhi, meet the Prime Minister and tender their resignations at 3 PM," TMC chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced after a meeting of party MPs, top leaders and office bearers. 
Banerjee announced the decision after a meeting of the Trinamool Congress' parliamentary party, that went on for over three hours. 
Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, the West Bengal chief minister accused the UPA of not giving the respect to the Trinamool Congress that it deserved.

"The government has lost their credentials. If they cannot keep their friendship with us, they cannot keep it with anyone," Banerjee said.

"My party's six ministers have decided to resign. It is time to fight the battle alone," said Banerjee .

The reforms unveiled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week include allowing in foreign retail giants such as Walmart and Tesco, as well foreign airlines, and included a 12% hike in the price of subsidised diesel. 

Banerjee, a mercurial politician who has forced the government into a series of policy U-turns, swept to power in the state of West Bengal in May last year.