Will scrap FDI if voted to power: BJP

The BJP on Wednesday said it was not against economic reforms but indicated that it could scrap the UPA's decision to allow 51 percent foreign equity in multi-brand retail if it came to power.

"We are against FDI (foreign direct investment) in multi-brand retail per se as it is against India's interests," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

He was briefing journalists after the party's national executive meet here.

"FDI in multi-brand retail is not in the interest of the farmers and the 1,000-year-old retail chain in the country."

"If we come to power, the consequences (on FDI) will follow," the BJP leader said.

Replying to a query that the party had promised 26 percent FDI in retail in its agenda for governance ahead of 2004 general elections, Prasad said: "(The year) 2004 is eight years old. Watch out for our manifesto."

But the party also claimed it was pro-reforms and had brought in FDI in media.

"We are for economic reforms and good governance. We brought FDI in media," Prasad said.

The BJP also claimed it had no differences with the Akali Dal in Punjab, which has said it would welcome FDI if the central government promised to safeguard traders.

"There are no differences with Akali Dal," Prasad said.

The party also said that it is always 'ready' for elections but was not trying to destabilise the government.

"The BJP is always ready for elections," party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters here. The party is holding its national executive meet in this tourist complex on the outskirts of the national capital.

Prasad's comment came after party president Nitin Gadkari in his inaugural address said it was difficult for the Congress-led government to complete its tenure.

He clarified later that the comment was only on the current political situation and the party was not trying to destabilise the government.