Didi’s FDI stance to protect image?
The vehemence with which the Mamata Banerjee government has denied that the entry of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the retail sector was discussed in the meeting between the chief minister and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Monday has not come as a surprise to those who have been acquainted with Ms Banerjee’s avowed stand on the issue.
In 2011, it was her strong opposition which forced the UPA government to keep the FDI issue on the backburner.
“She so strongly refuted the FDI discussion with Ms Clinton because otherwise she would have been accused of a volte face. The CPI(M) would have projected her as an unprincipled and opportunist politician. Didi is highly image-conscious. She could not have afforded any dent in her image,” a Trinamul Congress MP considered close to her said.
It was to protect this image that in the news conference which she addressed after the meeting, Ms Banerjee categorically said that Ms Clinton did not raise the FDI and there was no discussion on the subject.
In the evening, as soon as the news reached the CMO that the US consulate has issued a press statement which acknowledged that the two leaders discussed the subject of “increasing US investment in West Bengal, including in the retail sector,” state finance minister Amit Mitra was asked to issue a rebuttal. He wrote to US consul-general Dean Thompson that FDI was not “mentioned” in the meeting.
“I urge you unequivocally and strongly that the mention of investment in retail sector be avoided in your press statement,” Mr Mitra added.
Ms Banerjee has been the most vocal critic of entry of FDI in retail.
On November 24 when the Union Cabinet gave its approval for 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail paving the way for the entry of global giants and hypermarkets chains like Wal-Mart, Ms Banerjee had persistently opposed it. Her objection was that it would rob the livelihood of five crore people in West Bengal.
In December, the UPA government was forced to keep the implementation of the Cabinet decision in suspension. Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee informed Ms Banerjee over the phone about the decision.
Post new comment