After the DMK's pressed the government for the resolution against Sri Lanka on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils by announcing its withdrawal, the numbers in the UPA, fell by 18 bringing down the majority in the lower house. But should the UPA government led by Congress be worried about the withdrawal? Yes and no,
Out of the total 540 members in the 15th Lok Sabha and the 2 nominated members, UPA government had a total strength of 293 members in the house. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham with its 18 member support in the UPA will surely be a wound on UPA but it won't hurt as much as to collapse the government.
As Finance Minister, Chidambaram announced, the UPA is safe and the government will continue to run as it did before. It still holds majority in the Lok Sabha with 275 seats which is two more than the required 273 seats in the Lower House for a majority.
For a clearer picture here is a list of the support, internally and externally to UPA
Indian National Congress has a power of 203 MPs with extra support from Nationalist Congress Party (9 MP's), Rashtriya Lok Dal (5 MP's), Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (3 MP's),Indian Union Muslim League (2 MP's), Kerala Congress (Mani) (1 MP), Sikkim Democratic Front (1 MP), All India United Democratic Front (1 MP)
More support externally is being provided currently by Samajwadi Party: (22 MP's), Bahujan Samaj Party: (21 MP's), Rashtriya Janata Dal: (4 MP's), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India-Marxist
So, currently UPA has MP strength of 275 slightly over the required strength of 273 MP's and hence retaining power. While it is safe currently, further withdrawals are to be expected, for the worst case scenarios. Congress led UPA has a meager majority, slightly over the requirement and that is a big reason to worry.
Several parties quit UPA earlier including the DMK yesterday. Others include Telangana Rashtra Samithi which joined hands with NDA. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is allies with Third Front just like Pattali Makkal Katchi, Republican Party of India (Athvale), and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Lok Janshakti Party are currently with Fourth Front. People's Democratic Party, All India Trinamool Congress, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen were members of the United Progressive Alliance formerly too.
(AW- Anil)
