JOIN USThe BJP and Left parties who are now working with an understanding have asked the government to roll back its decision for smooth running of Parliament. However, the government is unlikely to oblige the opposition, sources maintained.
“The opposition was not taken into confidence on the FDI issue. Allies of the UPA-2 like DMK, TMC are not with the government and even members within Congress opposed to the decision. Roll back the FDI decision and the Parliament would run from the next day,” said leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj. She said adjournment motion on the issue has been moved by BJP, BSP, Left and AIADMK.
The Left also charged the government with an attempt to derail the Parliament so that it escapes the responsibility of passing the Lokpal Bill as demanded by Team Anna.
They alleged that the government’s decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail was aimed at disrupting the winter session.
The government does not want important bills like Lokpal Bil be passed, they said.
“Successive prime ministers including non-Congress prime ministers promised to pass the Lokpal Bill, but never did so. This government also does not want to pass the Bill.
That is why it took a decision that was bound to derail the session. The government does not want the session to function,” CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said.
He said the government has broken parliamentary convention by taking an executive decision when Parliament is in session. “Any discussion is possible only after the government withdraws the decision and takes the ‘sense of house’ on the issue,” he asserted.
CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta referred to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s reply in March 2011 which reveals that the Inter-ministerial Committee had considered the issue but did not recommend anything because two-third of the members were against FDI in retail sector.
“The government and the Congress are divided on the issue. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is singularly responsible for the decision,” he alleged.
The government has taken this decision to help American companies find new market, he charged. With a major confrontation seemingly on the card, the resolution would need a large climb down from the both side.
“The finance minister may preside the all party meet on Tuesday and we hope some solution could be worked out,” one unnamed Union minister.
Cong core group discusses issue
In the wake of government facing stiff pressure from Opposition and some of its allies on the issue of FDI in retail sector, Congress’ Core Committee met on Monday evening to chalk out a strategy on the issue ahead of all-party meeting called by government on Tuesday, reports DHNS from New Delhi.
The meeting that took place at 7, Race Course residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was attended by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and other senior party leaders.
Sonia Gandhi, who had met Prime Minister in the day again held consultation with him to firm up the party strategy.