Congress confident of sorting out differences with TMC

New Delhi, Jan 19 (ANI): Commenting on the differences between United Progressive Alliance (UPA) with key partner Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi has said there is no serious problem and that they can solve whatever differences through discussions.

"To stay in power is not our priority. Power is an instrument for us to implement programmes. Power is a medium to implement one's ideals and thoughts. It is not possible without power. We don't have any such problems with the TMC , which cannot be solved with mere criticism. The problems can be solved through discussions and these will be solved," Alvi told the media here.

The alliance of the TMC and the Congress had run into trouble on several issues like the passage of bill for the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the domestic retail market and the issue of the Lokpal Bill.

Strains were visible during the parliamentary debate on the anti-graft Lokpal Bill last week, when TMC did a volte-face and opposed certain provisions in the government-draft of the legislation.

Despite several attempts by the government, the TMC has so far refused to budge from its stand on the issue, leaving the Congress party fuming. The TMC and Congress have voiced their differences on several platforms in the past on the issue of price rise too.

Further commenting on the visit of controversial author Salman Rushdie to India, Alvi said that issue of the ban on Rushdie, imposed by Muslim clerics is a matter which can only be decided by the government of Rajasthan as the matter pertains to that region.

"It would be wrong to say like this. It is the strong opinion of the party that the religious sentiments and emotions of anybody should not be tampered or offended. Anybody who does this is wrong. But only the government can decide as to who can come or not come to India. And since it is a matter related to Rajasthan, the Chief Minister of the state has met the Home Minister and they shall finalise their decision," said Alvi.

Earlier, an influential Islamic seminary, Darululoom Deoband , has urged the central government to deny visa to Rushdie, who would be attending a literature festival later this month.

India-born internationally acclaimed author, who was threatened with death from Iran over his 1988 book 'The Satanic Verses', is due to speak at the seminar in Jaipur. (ANI)