Website launch turns political battlefield

Chidambaram8217;s quip was not missed by his colleagues. On the dais, Jaipal Reddy acknowledged it with a 8216;8216;touche8217;8217; while another senior Congressman T. Subbirami Reddy, in the audience, chuckled. The function8217;s venue was moved from Bangalore to Delhi to suit the FM8217;s busy schedule.

And despite the way Left parties have been reacting to every pro-reform move of team Manmohan, Chidambaram today braved possible criticism to suggest 8216;8216;some flexibility8217;8217; in the labour market. 8216;8216;We have allowed some flexibility, except for industrial workers,8217;8217; the FM said. 8216;8216;It is okay for firms to hire more when there is an economic upswing, but they should also be allowed to downsize during a downturn. 8217;8217; He said no employer could ensure life-long employment to employees and no employee would like to stay in one company forever.

The Left reacted to the FM8217;s statement later, saying Chidambaram8217;s take on flexibility was 8216;8216;nothing but hire and fire in a modest way8217;8217;.