FDI in retail: Mayawati holds her cards close to her chest

BSP on Monday indicated that it will support the government in Parliament on the issue of FDI, saying the fact that the Centre has not thrust the policy on states and the aim of keeping communal forces at bay will determine its stand.

BSP chief Mayawati said her party feels the FDI in multi-brand is needed for the country's economic growth but the policy should be implemented with certain conditions to prevent the harmful impact of some of its provisions on the poor and the middle class.

"The only plus point of this policy of the Centre is that if a state does not want to implement the FDI policy then it will not be forcefully imposed on that state. Our party has taken serious note of this. Our party is also serious thinking whether it should be standing with those parties that encourage communal forces," Mayawati said.

She pointed out that though BSP has not yet taken a decision on the issue, when the matter comes up in Parliament these two issues the party will determine its stand. "In case of voting on the FDI in retail issue our party will keep these two factors in mind while taking the right and proper decision in the interest of the country," she said. Asked if BSP is putting the passage of the Reservation in promotion for SC/ST as a pre-condition to pledge support to the UPA government, Mayawati replied in the negative.

The BSP chief, however, maintained that her party still has certain reservations about the FDI policy in its present form and suggested that the government do a "serious analysis" of its impact on the poor and the middle class before implementing it.