FDI in retail: Mamata gives ultimatum, BJP calls for protest

Protesting the UPA-II’s decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said Manmohan Singh’s government was trying to “sell out everything to satisfy a section of individuals”, and that her party “would go to any extent” to oppose these moves.

In New Delhi, BJP activists led by M Venkaiah Naidu took to the streets. “We call all the allies of UPA to decide whether they are with the farmers or with this government. Either they make the government roll back the decisions or withdraw support,” Naidu said.

The Opposition parties are preparing for a nationwide protest on September 20. NDA working chairman LK Advani, speaking to reporters at his residence on Saturday, said that the people’s anger against the UPA government, which had peaked over the

coal scam, would find an expression on September 20.
The Samajwadi Party (SP), the Left Front,  the Telugu Desam party (TDP), the Biju Janata Dal and the Janata Dal (Secular) have also called for a protest on September 20 in a separate statement.
While the TMC with 19 MPs has given a 72-hour ultimatum for a roll-back, all eyes are now on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which, along with the SP, also provides crutches to the UPA to stay in power. The BSP has given a reprieve to the government till October 10, when its national executive meets to decide the party’s response to the economic reforms and diesel price hike. The party has 22 MPs in the Lok Sabha.

During her rally at Mayo Road, Mamata Banerjee hinted that while she might not withdraw support from UPA II, “but we will at no cost accept these recent decisions.” Observers suggest that the TMC might withdraw its ministers from the Union Cabinet, and support it from outside instead.