Retail FDI : Trinamool, Oppn Up In Arms, Say Lopsided Decision

New Delhi, Nov 25: A political storm erupted today over Government’s decision to open up retail to FDI as key ally Trinamool Congress and almost all opposition parties including BJP and Left came together to attack the plan as “lopsided” and “unprecedented” harming small businesses.

Upping the ante on the retail reform plan, BJP leader Uma Bharti threatened to set on fire Walmart store wherever it opens in the country to register her party’s protest. The threat was roundly condemned by CPI’s Gurudas Dasgupta as “crazy talk.”

There was some cause for cheer for the Congress-led coalition UPA as it got support from the Shiromani Akali Dal, a partner in the BJP-led NDA, which is ruling Punjab. The SAD said FDI in retail will offer tremendous benefits to farmers and the people of Punjab, the country’s food granary.

Trinamool leader and Union Minister Sudip Bandopadhyay while opposing the decision said the party would carry out its protest in its “own style” as directed by party supremo Mamata Banerje without breaking any alliance norm.


From: http://ping.fm/94ALo