Trinamool sets 72-hour deadline to govt over FDI in retail

Strongly opposing the major reforms announced by the Centre, key UPA constituent Trinamool Congress on Friday set a 72-hour deadline to government to withdraw decision on multi-brand retail and diesel price hike.

The party has decided to convene an urgent meeting on the issue on Tuesday to "take a tough decision" after the Centre's decision to allow 51% FDI in multi-brand retail and hike of Rs5 in diesel price.

The TMC Parliamentary Party will meet on Tuesday, party leader and Railway Minister Mukul Roy said in Kolkata.

"A tough decision will be taken," he said.

He said the party was opposed to allowing FDI in multi-brand retail, a decision regarding which was taken by the union cabinet at a meeting in which he was not present.

"I came to know about the decision of the Cabinet to allow FDI in multi-brand retail... We are opposed to FDI and we will oppose," Roy said.

His party colleague and MP Kunal Ghose said, "Trinamool Congress is strongly opposing the cabinet decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. We are not in agreement with the decision.

He said, "Trinamool Congress is registering its strong protest, but the Congress-led government at the Centre is taking anti-people policies."

UPA's outside supporter JD(S) also was angry at the government's decision on multi-brand retail, terming it as "anti-people" and threatening to withdraw its outside support for the central government.

Senior JD(S) leader Danish Ali said the National Executive of the party, which has three MPs in Lok Sabha, will meet soon to "review" the support given to the UPA government from outside.

BJP also attacked the government, saying the "hurried" decision had been taken under foreign pressure and it will affect the livelihood of five crore Indians involved in retail trade.

Samajwadi Party, major outside supporter of the UPA government, also opposed the decisions on FDI in retail and said it will protest against these.

"SP feels that allowing FDI in retail would affect Indian market and agriculture. The move would adversely affect Indian economy as retailers and farmers would be ruined by it. The decision in not in the interest of country", party spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said.

BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said his party "strongly condemns this hurried decision forcing FDI in multi-brand retail in India.

"Inspite of serious opposition from within the Congress, its allies and nearly the entire Opposition led by the BJP, the government has seriously jeopardised the life, livelihood and employment of five crore people involved in retail trade in the country."

He alleged that this has been done under the pressure of "foreign elements" and would not bring any concrete return benefits to India.

He said though the government had assured in both Houses of Parliament that a decision on this issue will be taken only after wide consultations and after all stakeholders on board.

"So this hurried decision is almost a breach of privilege as well," Prasad said.

BJP, however, was evasive on the government decision allowing FDI in civil aviation.

Coming out with angry reactions, Left parties vowed a "wave of protests" against the government accusing it of having become a "burden on the people".