New Delhi:
After Mamata Banerjee's surprise announcement on the FDI issue, political wheels are churning fast. There are reports that when Parliament reconvenes on Wednesday, the government will make a statement on the issue.
On Saturday, the Trinamool Congress chief, quoting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, said that the government has decided to suspend its decision on the Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in multi-brand retail. "Pranab
da has told me that the Centre has decided to suspend FDI in retail. If they do what they have told me they will do then there is no problem anymore. I have been told that the Cabinet decision on FDI will be put on hold till a consensus is evolved. Consensus means all opinions will be taken on board, and that means for now the problem is settled," she said. (
Watch)
So, will the government make official what Mamta Banerjee has already announced? And will a pause on the government's decision on FDI in retail ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament after days of disruption?
"As of now, government's decision on suspension is the solution. And they will make a statement on this on December 7," said NDA Convenor Sharad Yadav.
What's interesting though is that even as the Congress has emphasised the need for wider consultations, the government has kept mum citing convention that when Parliament is in session, it cannot make any policy statement outside.
"I officially cannot say anything as Parliament is in session. I will only speak in Parliament," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Saturday.
Developments of the last few days have clearly indicated a party-government divide on the issue. A group of senior ministers believe that giving in to pressure from allies and the Opposition may further reinforce the public perception of policy paralysis.
However, many within the party have questioned not so much the decision but its timing. Many also ask will the move to put FDI on hold put a question mark over the PM's authority.
"Whenever someone asks the Prime Minister about a decision, he says 'I don't know'. If you are so helpless, then why are you sitting on this chair?" BJP president Nitin Gadkari said.
"I do not think that the Prime Minister's credibility is at stake. He only does what's in national interest and doesn't compromise on that," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said.
Many have compared the Prime Minister's stand on the FDI issue to his firm stance on the Indo-US nuclear deal. But the big question is: Will we see a repeat of the showdown we saw back then with the PM sticking his neck out? Or will the government be forced to back down?