4-day break to resolve FDI row;UPA rethinks decision to vote

New Delhi, Dec 3: The Government has sped up its efforts to get a breakthrough to break the winter session's parliament logjam on Dec 7. Congress has so far not supported the adjournment motion on allowing 51% foreign equity in multi-brand retail. Meanwhile, to break the logjam, Manmohan Singh may opt for vote on the issue. A final decision in this regard is likely to be taken on Wednesday.

Earlier, on Friday (Nov 2) Mamata Banerjee had told the Prime Minister that her party will not support government's policy on FDI in retail. The West Bengal Chief Minister further said, "I don't want the government to be toppled on this issue. This is a very sensitive issue. But at the same time, it is not possible for us to support FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) entry into retail sector. I am sorry." Mamata also pointed out that her party's manifesto clearly articulates its stand against FDI.

Meanwhile, the most worried point is that, If TMC does not vote for the government, it could lose the crucial vote. Sources said that, if the Trinamool abstains from voting, and the DMK favours the government, the numbers in the Lok Sabha will be in favour of the key reforms in the Indian retail sector.

Moreover, the united opposition has refused to let Parliament function unless the government agrees to a debate on the issue on the basis of a strongly-worded adjournment motion that asks for a "rollback of the government's decision" which is not acceptable to the Congress.

OneIndia News