-The Indian Express
While the BJP and the Left have been objecting to allowing FDI in retail, ally DMK’s stand could spell trouble for the government. However, there’s some relief in sight with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee hinting that she is open to discussions on the issue.
A few hours before the Union Cabinet cleared FDI in retail, Banerjee indicated that her party was open to discussions on the matter, without diluting her “pro-farmer” stand.
“Let us get details, we will discuss it. There needs to be further discussion on the matter,” Banerjee told reporters here on Thursday.
She had told a TV channel on Wednesday that her party was completely opposed to FDI in retail, aviation and pension funds. “We are always pro-farmer. We will always be,” she said.
On Thursday, Banerjee clarified that she was not averse to foreign investment. “In the past six months, Bengal has got investment of around Rs 56,000 crore, which includes foreign companies,” she added.
On the other hand, the DMK, another key constituent of the UPA, on Thursday opposed the government’s decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail. “We are against allowing FDI in retail sector. Small traders will get affected by this move. Retail sector provides a lot of employment opportunities. Opening it to FDI would spoil all this. Whenever there is an open discussion, we will participate and oppose it,” DMK leader T R Baalu said.
His party colleague T K S Elangovan reiterated that the party was opposed to the move. Sources said M K Alagiri, the DMK’s nominee in the Union Cabinet, placed on record his party’s “reservation” over allowing FDI in the retail sector.