India's ruling Congress brushes aside speculation of running "minority" gov't

NEW DElHI, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- India's Congress-led government Friday brushed aside speculation that it would become a "minority" government after its ally at the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Trinamool Congress, has pulled out from the coalition.

Indian Law Minister Salman Khurshid and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told the media the government has the necessary numbers in the 545-member Lok Sabha despite the Trinamool 19 Members of Parliament (MPs) withdrawing their support.

"We have the numbers," Bansal told local TV channel NDTV.

"We are not a minority government ... and the arithmetic points to us not being in a minority because of the support of other parties," Khurshid also said at the news channel.

Earlier, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said the UPA has the support of over 300 MPs.

The Trinamool has announced its withdrawal of support for the Congress over the latter's decision to open multibrand retail sector to foreign investment, hike diesel price and cap supply of government subsidized gas cylinder to households.