The government’s decision on allowing FDI in multi-brand retail and the issue of corruption have become the fulcrum of heightened political activity in the national capital.
A day after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee staged an agitation against allowing FDI in retail here, Congress on Tuesday organised a farmers’ meet to counter the Opposition charge that foreign direct investment would render retailers jobless and hit farmer sector hard.
The farmers from Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, organised under the aegis of Bharati Kisan Union, held a public meeting at Congress headquarters, supporting the government’s economic reforms.
They also met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her residence and expressed their gratitude to the UPA government’s decision to bring in FDI in multi-brand retail.
In a memorandum, however, they urged Gandhi to waive loans of debt-ridden farmers, who they said were bearing the brunt of “policies of successive governments”.
The farmers of Punjab and Haryana sought drought relief for loss of paddy crop during. They said the agriculture sector was passing through a grave crisis and needed the government’s support as farmers were on the verge of an “economic breakdown”.
Unfazed by the strong opposition to FDI in retail even from some allies, the government on Tuesday refused a roll back saying it is in the interest of farmers and consumers.
Addressing the farmers, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said government’s decision on FDI in multi-brand retail was final.
“We are not afraid of anything. This decision is taken in the interest of the farmers and consumers,” he said. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were present at the farmers’ meet.
The city also witnessed the floating of a new party by anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal and his team.