'Economy not football that can be kicked around'

Mumbai: Amid logjam in Parliament, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday sought support of the Opposition in pushing through economic reforms, saying economy is not a football that can be kicked around by political parties. "Economic welfare of the country is bipartisan and must be kept above politics.. economics is too important and economic future welfare of this country is too important to become a football to be kicked around by political parties", he said.

The Minister also expressed the hope that once "one or two" issues were resolved it would become possible for the government to push through key economic reforms bills in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. "I had a good meeting with the two Leaders of Opposition. We will be able to resolve political issues.. chances of passing of financial bills in this session are extremely good", he said.

The important legislations awaiting approval of Parliament relates to insurance, pension, banking and Companies Bill. No business could be transacted during the first two days of the Session on account of protest by Opposition over the issue of government allowing FDI in multi-brand retail.

The government has called a meeting of the leaders of the main opposition parties to resolve the impasse over the debate on FDI. While the Opposition BJP wants debate under the sections which entail voting, the Congress does not want voting. The Minister further said that there must be enough dialogue between the principal party in coalition and the principal opposition party. "We must be able to speak to each other. We must speak for each other."

He also wanted important functionaries in the financial sector like Sebi chairman UK Sinha and SBI chief Pratip Chaudhuri to engage with "key political players" with regard to economic issues facing the country.