JOIN USLeaders of political parties from both left and right leanings will again share the dais in an anti-FDI rally in Delhi sponsored by the country’s retail traders and transporters. The date of the rally is being finalised.
The decision was taken in a meeting held this week in the presence of senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and leader of CPM Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharya. The meeting was attended by retail trade organisations, hawkers’ groups, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs), transporters’ associations and farmers’ organisations.
In the meeting, Joshi advocated “direct action,” as FDI, according to him, will render large number of people jobless. Acharya expressed similar views.A decision to launch a joint front against FDI in multi-brand retail on an all India basis with branches to organise protests in state capitals was also taken.
This would be a second coming together of the parties who earlier joined hands to protest against the issue at Jantar Mantar on September 20.
At the forefront of the agitation is the Confederation of Associations of Indian Traders (CAIT), headed by Praveen Khandelwal, who has the support of JD(U) Chief and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav.
Yadav has been instrumental in mobilising support of leaders from across the political spectrum, including the Left. The senior leader argues that this is a “apolitical movement” and it would remain so.
BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has been strongly opposed to opening up of the economy and allowing foreign capital. His support to the movement has resulted in the presence of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, a Sangh Parivar outfit.