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Trinamool joins BJP, Left in opposing retail FDI
AGENCIES | New Delhi/Kolkata, September 14, 2012 21:10
Tags : FDI | BJP | Trinamool Congress | Congress | Ravi Shankar Prasad | Manmohan Singh | Kunal Ghosh |
Tags : FDI | BJP | Trinamool Congress | Congress | Ravi Shankar Prasad | Manmohan Singh | Kunal Ghosh |
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The government's decision to allow 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail triggered strong reactions with the BJP terming it an "anti-national step" and UPA ally Trinamool Congress signalling its intention to take a strong step if the move was not reversed.
The Left parties also slammed the move to open multi-brand retail to FDI but the Congress said the decisions of the government were aimed to revive the growth rate of economy.
"It is a anti-national decision taken in a hurry... We will oppose it tooth and nail," said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
BJP leader Balbir Punj said the government had taken the decision to divert attention from the "coalgate scam".
He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had gone back on his word that FDI in multi-brand retail will only be allowed after political consensus.
Trinamool Congress, which had earlier been instrumental forcing the government to put its FDI decision on hold in November, vehemently opposed the fresh decision, and gave a 72-hour deadline to the Congress to rethink the decisions.
The party has also called a meeting of its parliamentary party Sep 18.
"We have called an urgent meeting of the parliamentary party on Sep 18. We don't agree with these decisions. We are giving a 72-hour deadline to the Congress to rethink the decision," said party MP Kunal Ghosh.
"We are mentally prepared to take any kind of decision. It would take one second for Trinamool to withdraw support but if we withdraw, some people will say we have created instability. And then the horse-trading will start," he said.
He said that "anti-people" decision should be reversed or withdrawn.
Trinamool Congress leader and union Minister of State for Health Sudip Bandopadhyay said the decision of allowing overseas investments in multi-brand retail was unexpected, but would be opposed.
The party is also strongly opposed to Rs.five hike in diesel prices announced on Thursday.
Communist Party of India leader D. Raja said the government was trying to hand over economy to private sector.
"The government is neck deep in corruption. It is now trying to hand over economy to private sector," he said.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
