Hundreds of Congress supporters started gathering in the city for the upcoming rally in support of FDI in multi-brand retail on November 4.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit has asked all her party men to make the rally a success. However, the Congress will face many hurdles as the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and the Delhi BJP will also stage protests against the FDI on the same day.
“CAIT is continuing its national agitation against the FDI in retail. We will not allow FDI as it will dismantle the functioning of Indian market system of individual small shopkeepers. We are conducting public meetings all over India to gather support and we will stage an all-India protest on November 4,” said CAIT national secretary general Praveen Khandelwal. Meanwhile, the Opposition continued its attacks on the government on the issue. Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta said that the BJP would observe a “Black Day” on November 4 when the Congress will be holding a rally in Ramlila ground in support of FDI.
“The FDI is against the traders, farmers, shopkeepers and the traditional Indian economy. The city government has shown a monopolistic attitude. The FDI is dangerous for Indian economy. After FDI was allowed in Thailand, only three companies hold around 38 per cent shares of consumer so the market is limited causing unemployment. On November 4, the Delhi BJP will stage protests on 14 places and it will be observed as a black day,” Delhi BJP president Vijender Gupta said.