With the Winter Session’s first week already lost amid friction over issues like black money and rising prices, the second week of the four-week session also appears headed for a washout with the Opposition determined to corner the government in Parliament on its decision to allow 51 per cent foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.
The standoff looks even more strident this time, with the government going on a media blitzkrieg to justify its FDI decision and its managers arguing that the Opposition could not force a “policy paralysis”.
JD(U) president Sharad Yadav, the NDA’s convenor, has already given notice of an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Efforts are on for floor coordination among Opposition parties — BJP, Left, AIADMK; as well parties supporting the UPA like the BSP and the SP.
Opposition sources said Mr Yadav was working hard to bring UPA constituents like the Trinamul Congress and the DMK, which have voiced objections to the FDI move, on board so that they oppose it on the floor of Parliament. Trinamul and DMK ministers had raised objections at the Union Cabinet meeting on Thursday which cleared the proposal.
Over 240 Lok Sabha members representing 10 parties are estimated to oppose FDI in retail, not counting the Trinamul Congress and the DMK, which have a total of 36 MPs in the House.
Mr Yadav has also supported the December 1 bandh called by traders against this move.