Sushma Swaraj demands all-party meet over FDI in retail

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj today demanded that the UPA government convene an all-party meeting over the issue of FDI in retail before making any statement on it in the Parliament.

"Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee called me this morning on phone over smooth running of Lok Sabha and the stalemate due to FDI in retail issue," she told reporters at the city airport here.

"Mukherjee told me that the government is interested in making a statement on the issue in the Lok Sabha," she said, adding, "I told him to convene an all party meeting first where the government should make its stand clear on the FDI row."

It should not only be the BJP but all political parties should know and draw a consensus on the issue if required, Swaraj said.

She said the BJP's adjournment motion over the issue be allowed for discussion in the Lok Sabha.

"Let the UPA government clarify its stand on FDI in retail only then Lok Sabha would run smoothly. There would be no compromise on it," she added.