Over 245 MPs against FDI
Over 245 members in the Lok Sabha belonging to more than 10 political parties are openly opposing foreign direct investment in the multi-brand or supermarket retail business.
The parties which have taken a stand against it are the BJP (115 members), Samajwadi Party (22), BSP (21), Janata Dal-United (20), All-India Trinamul Congress (18), DMK (18), CPI-M (16), AIADMK (9), CPI (4), RSP (2) and Forward Bloc (2).
Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party leader Anant Geete on Sunday said his party (11) is against the government’s decision on FDI and would oppose it on the floor of the House.
The Biju Janata Dal (14), TDP (6) are expected to go with the Left on this issue.
In the Congress party, Union ministers A.K. Antony and Virbhadra Singh are said to be not convinced on this issue.
This policy has not discussed so far either in the Congress or its parliamentary party. This became clear when the Kerala PCC came out in its opposition. Kerala PCC chief Ramesh Chennithala writes to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing FDI in retail.
The Congress in Kerala has been opposing FDI in retail fearing that the Opposition Left would capitalise on it by weaning away small and marginal retail shop owners from its supporters. “I have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing the Union Cabinet decision to throw open the doors of country’s retail market,” Mr Chennithala said, adding that he has met Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy and asked him not to implement the Centre’s decision.
Kerala is the first Congress-ruled state where a PCC chief has expressed opposition to the FDI.
The Congress chief ministers have remained silent on this issue so far at a time when the Opposition CMs — Ms J. Jayalalithaa, Ms Mayawati, Mr Nitish Kumar — have come out against it.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy will find it difficult to implement this policy. “While Parliament is in session, this move of the government of India, without even consulting the state governments, is unprecedented and indicates the overweening arrogance of the UPA government,” Ms Jayalalithaa said.
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