BJP to oppose Government in Parliament on FDI in retail
New Delhi: Refusing to give up on the FDI in retail issue, BJP on Wednesday said it will oppose the government decision in Parliament and try to build a joint strategy with NDA partners and other political parties.
“In the forthcoming winter session of Parliament, BJP will oppose the decision on FDI in multi-brand retail. This decision is not in the interest of the country,” party chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
BJP charged that this promise has been violated by the government as it has taken the decision unilaterally. But the principal Opposition is not yet clear to what extent it will go against the government in Parliament.
Though the opposition claims to have support of majority of MPs in both Houses on the issue, the NDA is unlikely to press for a vote on the issue.
Asked if BJP and NDA would rally behind Mamata Banerjee’s TMC in case it seeks division of votes to embarrass the government, the party said it will decide its future course of action in the NDA meeting.
The Left parties are also opposed to the decision. But the Opposition designs may be thwarted by the Chair in both Houses if it denies permission for a motion on the issue. Government has the right to bring FDI in multi-brand retail through an executive decision. A discussion without voting is, however, possible.
