FDI in multibrand retail under "foreign pressure": BJP

New Delhi, Sep 14: Attacking the government for its "hurried" decision allowing FDI in multi-brand retail, BJP alleged said that despite strong objections from the Opposition it has been done under foreign elements' pressure and will affect the livelihood of Indians in retail trade.

"BJP strongly condemns this hurried decision forcing FDI in multi-brand retail in India. Inspite of serious opposition from within Congress, its allies and nearly the entire Opposition led by BJP, the government has seriously jeopardised the life, livelihood and employment of five crore people involved in retail trade in the country," BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The main Opposition party alleged this has been done under the pressure of "foreign elements" and would not bring any concrete return benefits to India. "Outsourcing from India remains a very contentious issue in America and Europe. The Manmohan Singh government has not been able to extract any firm commitment for India and yet has opened the floodgates to FDI in retail, which will be disastrous for the country," Prasad said.

The right-wing party also maintained the government had assured both Houses of Parliament that a decision on this issue will be taken only after wide consultations and after all stakeholders on board. "So, this hurried decision is almost a breach of privilege as well," Prasad charged. BJP, however, declined comment on the decision allowing FDI in civil aviation.

PTI