FDI in retail: Trinamool demands rollback, govt says Opposition cannot dictate

Soon after both houses of Parliament were adjourned amid Opposition protests against foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail on Monday, ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) constituent Trinamool Congress (TMC) also demanded a rollback of the decision.

Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay told reporters the party was against FDI in the interest of common people.

"We will oppose this move (FDI in retail) in the interest of the common man," Bandyopadhyay said.

He said there was no coordination between Opposition parties and the Trinamool Congress on the issue, but the Trinamool would pressurise the government to revoke the decision.

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The Samajwadi Party, which is extending outside support to the government, also opposed the move.

"We will oppose the FDI decision both inside and outside Parliament," party leader Mulayam Singh said.

'OPPOSITION CANNOT DICTATE TERMS ON POLICY DECISIONS'
Meanwhile, the ruling Congress accused the Opposition of deliberately stalling proceedings and said it could not dictate terms to the government on policy decisions.

"The government is ready to hold discussion on any issue, but the Opposition is deliberately stalling the proceedings," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters outside Parliament.

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"Opposition cannot dictate terms to the government regarding policy decisions," he said.

Party leader Rajiv Shukla, meanwhile, said there was no question of accepting Opposition demands for an adjournment motion on the FDI in retail.

"There is no question of accepting the Opposition demand on adjournment motion, only one adjournment motion. Opposition should assist in running the House rather than insist on adjournment motions," Shukla said outside Parliament.

Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Left parties and the AIADMK, have been protesting against the FDI in retail. The BJP gave a notice for an adjournment of Question Hour to take up the issue, which was supported by the Left.

The AIADMK also gave notice for a separate adjournment motion in both houses.

The Union Cabinet last week approved 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent FDI in single-brand retail trade.