New Delhi:
If the week gone by was stormy for Parliament, it looks like the coming week will bring in a hurricane. The Left and the BJP have joined hands against the government on the issue of allowing 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in the retail sector. They will bring in an adjournment motion on the issue on Monday.
"We want the House to discuss this issue by way of Adjournment Motion tomorrow. Dr Murli Manohar Joshi has submitted a notice of Adjournment Motion on behalf of BJP. Other Opposition parties have also moved such motions. Central government's decision allowing 51% FDI in retail sector is not acceptable to us," BJP leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted on Sunday.
And they have the support of AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee and BSP chief Mayawati.
Lashing out at the government, the AIADMK chief said on Sunday, "This move of the government of India to announce such a major policy decision affecting millions of people outside Parliament without even consulting the state governments is unprecedented and indicates the overweening arrogance of the UPA." (
Read: Won't allow FDI in retail in Tamil Nadu, says Jayalalithaa)
Nearer home in poll bound Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati addressed a Dalit rally and used the FDI issue to target Rahul Gandhi. "To please the
yuvraj, the FDI in retail has been allowed to benefit his foreign friends," she said.
Mamata Banerjee too said that her party does not support the government's move. "Some people can support 51 per cent FDI in retail but I do not support it. You see, America is America, Bangladesh is Bangladesh, Pakistan is Pakistan and India is India. I have to take into account how much capacity I have, how much is my ability. There are so many shops here. If there shops close what would the shop owners eat?" the Trinamool Congress chief said.
The war cry from three women Chief Ministers indicates that the implementation of FDI in states may not be easy. Worse, it may hurt the Congress' politics.
But the government is not blinking. Instead of opening channels of communication with opponents and allies, it went for direct contact with the
aam aadmi through full page advertisements - countering each Opposition charge - in national and regional dailies. (
Read)
The advertisements, however, belie the jitters in the government over an issue that has brought together the Left and the right, while creating extreme discomfort among crucial allies in the UPA.
The Opposition is out to prove that the government's move will adversely impact farmers and traders.
"Parliament is in session and government announced a decision of such far reaching consequences outside Parliament. It is a contempt of the House," Sushma Swaraj had tweeted yesterday.
However, the government shrugs off the Opposition's charge that it was not consulted.
"Privately, many members of different political parties including the BJP have been talking to us. And they have all been saying privately please do it. Why are you waiting? It doesn't require Parliament sanction. Why don't you do it? And now they stand up and do this," Law minister Salman Khursheed said.
The Opposition has shifted focus. From price rise and black money, it now has one demand - roll back FDI in retail. A 'No' from the government will mean no proceedings. (
Read: BJP to stall Parliament on Monday) With the BSP and Trinamool opposing the move, the government finds itself facing wholesale trouble over FDI in retail.