BJP asks government to make official announcement on FDI

Dec 03, 2011 |

IANS

New Delhi

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As United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituent Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee said the government was putting the decision on foreign equity in retail on hold, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday asked the government to officially announce the decision.

"Till we hear from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh or Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on this issue, it will not be appropriate for the BJP to react," BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

"Mamata is saying something on the basis of what the finance minister allegedly told her. Unless a formal comment is made by the PM or the finance minister, it would not be proper for BJP to react," Prasad said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee on Saturday said that Mukherjee has assured her the decision on FDI in retail will be put on hold.

Another party leader, Siddharth Nath Singh reacted to the development saying: "Sense has prevailed with the government."

"It's important that the government upholds principles of democracy, which is consulting with various parties which are its allies, and in opposition, (before) taking such major steps which affect crores and crores of people and their livelihood," Singh told a T.V. channel.

The BJP leader said the change of stand was a result of pressure on the government from both opposition and allies.

"If they have started thinking about it, it is because of the pressure of the opposition, pressure of the allies and pressure of the people. Popular mood of the country has prevailed and pressurised the government," he said.

Nearly half of parliament's winter session has been lost to protests mainly over foreign equity in retailing. The Congress allies, both Trinamool Congress and DMK, have also been opposing the move.

Speaking to media persons in Kolkata, Banerjee said: "I had telephonic conversations with him (Mukherjee) twice today (Saturday). He has told me that the centre has decided to suspend implementation of the decision to allow FDI in retail. He has told me that the decision will not be implemented unless there was consensus on the issue."

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