FDI in retail: Opposition vs Govt in Parliament on Monday

New Delhi, Nov 28: The Left and the BJP are opposing the government's decision to allow 51 per cent foreign direct investment or FDI in the retail sector. The Opposition will bring in an adjournment motion over the issue on Monday.

The leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj claimed that BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has already submitted a notice of adjournment motion on the FDI issue on behalf of BJP.

"We want the House to discuss this issue by way of adjournment motion tomorrow and 51 per cent FDI in retail is not acceptable. Parliament is in session and government announced a decision of such far reaching consequences outside Parliament. It is a contempt of the House," Sushma tweeted on Sunday.

AIADMK Chief J Jayalalithaa, Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee and BSP Chief Mayawati are supporting the BJP against the government's decision on FDI in retail.

Jayalalithaa, on Sunday strongly opposed the government's decision and claimed, "this move of the government of India to announce such a major policy decision affecting millions of people outside Parliament without even consulting the state governments is unprecedented and indicates the overweening arrogance of the UPA, adding to her statement, she said that she won't allow FDI in retail in Tamil Nadu."

Mayawati, on Sunday while addressing the Dalit rally in Uttar Pradesh, used the FDI issue to target Rahul Gandhi and said, "to please the yuvraj, the FDI in retail has been allowed to benefit his foreign friends."

Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee also opposed the government's decision. She claimed, "some people may support 51 per cent FDI in retail, but I do not support it. You see, America is America, Bangladesh is Bangladesh, Pakistan is Pakistan and India is India. I have to take into account how much capacity I have, how much is my ability. There are so many shops here. If those shops are closed, what would they eat?"

The UPA Government has been placing full-page, glitzy advertisements in all major newspapers to highlight the benefits of Foreign Direct Investment in retail sector.

Meanwhile, the Opposition is trying to prove that government's decision will have an adverse impact on the farmers and traders.

"Privately, many members of different political parties including the BJP have been talking to us. And they have all been saying privately please do it. Why are you waiting? It doesn't require Parliament sanction. Why don't you do it? And now they stand up and do this," said Salman Khursheed, Minister of Law.

OneIndia News