BJP to disrupt parliament on FDI in retail

BJP to disrupt parliament on FDI in retail

Surajkund, Haryana: After stalling Parliament for over two weeks on allocation of coal blocks in Monsoon session, the principle opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday indicated a similar strategy for the upcoming winter session, though this time it would force the government to reverse its decision on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector. Besides corruption, the second largest national party also hinted of making development and governance as central issues in general elections.

“FDI is not in favour of country’s farmers, traders and retailers. We are committed to change FDI decision in Parliament. With support from other political parties and under the leadership of L.K. Advani , Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitelywill force the government to roll back its decision in the Parliament session. I promise to the country that we will force the government to take back its decision,” BJP president Nitin Gadkari said, while addressing the party’s national council meet on the outskirts of the national capital.

“The FDI decision will affect 12 crore (120 million) traders in the country and we can not sit silently on this. Prime Minister is worried about companies like Wal-Mart, but he does not think about poor and common man,” he added.

Earlier the BJP and its allies had prevented functioning of Parliament over alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks directly under the nose of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh between 2006-2009. A report by the Comptroller Audit General, India’s apex audit body, has claimed a notional loss of Rs.1.86 lakh crore due to coal allocation to private companies between 2004-2009.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will try to exploit the present political opportunity with the help of left parties, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party (SP). TMC-led by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had withdrawn support from Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government over the issue of FDI in retail, hike in diesel prices and capping of cooking gas cylinders. Though, SP externally supports the UPA government, it is opposed to FDI policy in retail.

Gadkari, however, took shots at SP for its “double standards”.

“Lucknow mai kushti karte ho aur Delhi mai noora Kushti (you become enemies in Lucknow but friends in Delhi). Ek Chehare Pe Kai Chehare Laga Lete Hain Log, Jab Bhi Ji Chaahe Nai Duniya Basa Lete Hain Log (People put one face to another and settle in new life as per their wishes),” Gadkari said, without naming SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has opposed FDI in retail but continues to support UPA government.

BJP president said present UPA government has lost majority and its allies are in a dilemma. “They can not openly accept Congress decisions and at the same time can not bear the brunt as well. They are in a dilemma. TMC has proved that Congress can not run a coalition government,” he said.

On the second day of national executive and council meet of BJP, Gadkari was joined by party stalwart and veteran leader L.K. Advani, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely, former party president Venkaiah Naidu, BJP chief ministers Shivaraj Singh Chauhan, Manohar Parrikar, Raman Singh, Arun Munda, Prem Singh Dhumal. Karnataka was represented by two deputy chief ministers K.S. Eswarappa and R. Ashoka. Gujarat chief minister Narender Modi, who had attended the first day of convention, was absent, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Sawaraj, former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa were also absent from the meet.

Gadkari, who repeatedly targeted prime minister for economic policies, failed leadership, poor governance, directly blamed Singh for corruption. “After Bofors scam, Rajiv Gandhi government lost elections, (late prime minister) P.V. Narasimha Rao lost after Harshad Mehta scam, now Sonia-Manmohan led UPA government will loose majority after coal scam.”

BJP did not shy away from making another political promise of creating separate Telangana state—an issue on which ruling Congress has been dilly dallying. “Like we created Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Chhattisgarh, we will create Telangana. This is my promise and it can only happen in NDA regime.”

Gadkari said BJP is preparing a vision document – India Vision 2025 – on the basis of best governance practises, party strategy, ideology and economic development.