With Mamata Banerjee quitting UPA, allies should follow suit: BJP

The UPA allies should follow Trinamool Congress and withdraw support to the coalition for initiating anti-people measures like hiking diesel price and allowing FDI in retail, BJP said in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Other allies of the UPA government should follow suit in the interest of people of the country and withdraw their support, former Union Minister and BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters in Hyderabad.

Describing UPA government as a "sinking ship", the BJP leader said it was laden with coal scam, diesel price hike and gas cylinders and the "ship may sink anytime".

The allies should be cautious while sailing on the sinking ship and save themselves and protect the interest of the people, he said.

Appreciating Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's stand against the UPA, Shahnawaz said she has taken a courageous step and the people of West Bengal and the country at large were praising her decision.

He alleged that the Manmohan Singh government has lost credibility among people, its allies and of the opposition party since it has been taking "unilateral decision to protect the interest of foreign institutions".

Referring to the UPA government's decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail, Hussain said, "small shop owners would become salespersons after its implementation."

Stating that the BJP would not allow the UPA government to throw small traders on streets, he said with the FDI in retail trade, about 20 crore people would lose jobs.

As a part of nation-wide 'Bharat bandh' call given by the NDA protesting the UPA government's decision, Hussain along with senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu would participate in a programme in Hyderabad on Thursday.