Left shares dais with BJP

Left leaders on Thursday shared dais with the BJP to oppose FDI in retail sector. AB Bardhan (CPI), Sitaram Yechury (CPM) along with BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and Nitin Gadkari along with JDU chief Sharad Yadav addressed a rally organised by the All India Confederation of Traders at Jantar Mantar to demand withdrawal of decision to allow FDI in multi-brand trail.

However, SP chief Mulayam Singh and other leaders allying with the Left avoided sharing dais with BJP leaders.

Though, the Left shared dais with the BJP leaders, they were particular in clarifying that their presence should not be construed as a political alignment. “The Left's solidarity was an expression of support to the trading community on the FDI in retail issue but not a “political expression”, CPM Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury made it clear.

But, the assertions from the leaders of both the Left and Right leanings, were clear indication of a broader consensus among non-Congress parties on the issue of FDI in retail.