SP to vote against FDI in Rajya Sabha

[1]

In a discomforting news to the government, Samajwadi Party on Thursday said it will vote against FDI in Rajya Sabha where UPA does not have majority on its own.

"We will vote against FDI in Rajya Sabha if the government brings it there," SP leader in the Upper House Ramgopal Yadav told reporters here.

SP has nine members in the 244-member House. Asked if the party will vote against FDI in Lok Sabha, he retorted, "Ask our leaders from Lok Sabha."

When queried whether the party could have different positions in the two Houses, he said, "This happens many times. This has happened in the past also."

With regard to Lok Sabha, SP leaders have been saying that the party will oppose FDI but have remained ambiguous on voting.

On whether there was a communication gap between party leaders in the two Houses, he replied, "Sometimes it is deliberate."

In Rajya Sabha, UPA does not have the numbers on its own. In the effective strength of 244 in the Upper House, UPA and its allies have a strength of 94 members. The ten nominated members may go ahead to vote with the government.

Among the seven independents, three-four may support the government. BSP, which extends outside support to UPA, has 15 members and it has said that it will disclose its stand on the issue on the floor of the House.