Kerala PCC chief against retail FDI

The Congress in Kerala has been opposing FDI in retail fearing that the Opposition Left would capitalise on it by weaning away small and marginal retail shop owners from its supporters.

“I have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing the Union Cabinet decision to throw open the doors of country’s retail market,” Chennithala told PTI.

He also said that he has met Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and asked him not to implement the Centre’s decision.

Noteworthy is the fact that  Kerala is the first Congress-ruled state where a PCC chief has expressed opposition to FDI in retail.

Chennithala contended the decision will have a huge effect on the thousands of small retailers in the state.

Earlier on Sunday, chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu –Mayawati and Jayalalitha also opposed FDI in retail. Mayawati said the decision would make Uttar Pradesh a bankrupt state and termed it as a move aimed at benefiting foreign friends of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The AIADMK chief alleged that the move was undertaken under pressure from a few retail giants and asserted her government would not allow multi-brand global players to set up their markets in Tamil Nadu.