New Delhi: The deadlock over FDI in retail has paralysed the Winter Session of Parliament for nine days now. With just 15 days of the session remaining, the government has until Wednesday to convince the dissenting allies.
Sources say Congress will reach out to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee once more. Mamata had spurned the Prime Minister's call for help on Friday. The government needs the TMC's support as it is the single largest UPA ally with 19 MPs.
Meanwhile the Opposition is keeping up the pressure on the issue of FDI. Opposition didn't allow Parliament to function for the ninth day in a row on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, at the Hindustan Times leadership summit in partnership with CNN-IBN - Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked Mamata not to stand in the way of states that want to implement FDI in retail.
Pranab suggested a possible rapprochement to the Opposition and allies alike to end the logjam in Parliament.
The Prime Minister reached out to the key UPA partner the Trinamool Congress who now probably holds the key to end the stalemate. Manmohan Singh called up Mamata seeking support and to explain the government's position on FDI but the West Bengal Chief Minister remained adamant.
"We cannot support the governments decision on FDI in retail," Banerjee said.
Parliament will meet after an extended weekend on Wednesday that gives the government some breathing space and time to convince its allies to end the logjam.
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