The confrontation between the UPA and Opposition appears to further intensify as the government’s move to allow FDI in multi-brand retail was slammed by the BJP, Left and the Samajwadi Party.
The SP made it clear that the party-ruled Uttar Pradesh will not implement the FDI in multi-brand retail in the state.
Reacting strongly to the Cabinet decisions on Friday, SP national general secretary Mohan Singh claimed that opening all fronts for foreigners would be detrimental to India’s national interest. “We had opposed FDI in multi-brand retail when we were consulted by the government. We stick to our position. It will not be allowed in UP,” said Mr Singh.
The senior SP leader also took potshots at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying: “Dr Singh has said that he would like to go down fighting. But he is not telling who he is fighting with. It appears that he is fighting against the common man.”
Meanwhile, strongly condemning the government’s decision, the main Opposition BJP alleged that the decision has been taken under foreign elements’ pressure. Maintaining that the decision will put the livelihood of millions of retail traders in the country at risk, the party said the Manmohan Singh-led government’s credibility has 'touched a new low'.
“It seems the government is unable to digest the Prime Minister’s criticism in the foreign media which dubbed him a tragic figure. To restore his sagging image in the foreign press, the UPA has suddenly taken this decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail without consulting other stakeholders,” said senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh.
Reminding the government that it had assured both Houses of Parliament that a decision on this issue will be taken only after wide consultations and after all stakeholders on board, the BJP maintained the government has opened the floodgates to FDI in retail which will be disastrous for the country.
Strongly condemning the Cabinet decisions, senior CPI leader A.B. Bardhan said: “For all these years, we have been opposing it. We condemn the Cabinet’s decision. It will destroy the livelihood of more than four crore families who are into retail business. The government’s claim that it will revive the economy is a cruel joke. It has come when the government is accused of so many scams and scandals. Is the government waging a war against people?”
CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, while speaking on phone from Kolkata, warned the government that the FDI in multi-brand retail cannot be implemented in the country.
“There will be a widespread movement against this. As against the claim of the government that it would revive the economy, it is, in fact, going to increase joblessness and it is going to affect the livelihood of lakhs of small shopkeepers and traders. Majority of the state governments had opposed it,” said Mr Karat.