JOIN USOppn stands united in opposing FDI
In one of the biggest show of solidarity and protest against the common cause — FDI in retail — senior leaders from at least 10 different political parties and retail stakeholders were seen sharing the dias at the rally in Ramlila Maidan on Thursday.
‘Save Retail Democracy Rally’ was organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
Senior leaders of different political parties, including BJP president Rajnath Singh, chairman of public accounts committee of Parliament Murli Manohar Joshi, Janta Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav, senior CPI leader A B Bardhan, CPM leader in Lok Sabha Basudev Acharya had attended the rally and vehemently criticised the Centre’s decision to introduce FDI in retail.
Rajnath Singh said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had always worked under the pressure of government in USA and foreign direct investment in retail has been introduced to please them.
“Time and again this government has worked for the interests of USA. We had seen it at the time of Indo-US nuclear deal and we can see it now,” said Singh.
“They may do what they want, but whenever we (Bharatiya Janata Party) will get an opportunity, we will reverse this decision,” he said as thousands of people cheered loudly and applauded.
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley respectively blamed the UPA government’s “misrule of last 14 years” for the rising inflation and hardships of the common man.
Sharad Yadav and Bardhan opposed the government policies on many fronts and concluded that monopoly would increase with the FDI in retail which was not good for the country.