Guwahati/New Delhi:
Assam Chief Minister and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi has taken on his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee for her opposition to the government's policy on Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in retail.
"Mamata does not want to implement FDI, it's her decision but she cannot infringe upon my right as a state CM who wants FDI," Mr Gogoi said.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee last year had strongly opposed the government's policy of allowing 51 per cent FDI in retail, saying it will hurt farmers and traders. Ms Banerjee's party had also expressed displeasure about not being consulted over the move. Ms Banerjee was joined by another UPA ally in the form of DMK's M Karunanidhi invoicing concern over allowing 51 per cent FDI in retail.
After much opposition by allies along with the BJP and the Left, the government suspended its policy in December last year to allow for wider consultations. As the policy was suspended, sources in the government had said that the reforms in retail, which will allow the entry of global super-chains like Tesco and Wal-Mart, will be pushed to the backburner till after the UP elections, which were held in February this year.