PM says: UPA govt. has the ‘numbers’

Amid speculation that the country is heading to mid-term polls, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted on today that the UPA has the numbers required to maintain its majority in the Parliament.

Speaking to reporters before walking into the Parliament – the Budget Session begins today – the Prime Minister said that the government is willing to discuss and debate all issues.

“I am confident that this Budget Session will run smoothly,” he said.

Requesting all parties to cooperate on major challenges faced by the country, the PM added, “We are willing to discuss all issues on the floor of the Parliament.”

However, despite PM’s assurance, heated debates over what some opposition-ruled states see as Centre's efforts to usurp their powers through the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) is expected during the Session.

On the issue of the possibility of a mid-term poll, he said, “I am confident that we have all the numbers that are needed.”

The Congress has seemed to be vulnerable following humiliating defeats in key states such as Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, apart from Goa, the opposition parties are likely to go in for the kill - by attempting to forge floor coordination with some recalcitrant constituents of the UPA to embarrass the government on critical issues.