Trinamool demands voting in Rajya Sabha on FDI

Trinamool Congress, which had earlier been ambiguous on the rule under which the debate on Foreign Direct Investment should take place, on Tuesday moved a motion in Rajya Sabha seeking discussion with voting.

"This House disapproves the entry of FDI in multi-brand retail," read the motion moved by Trinamool members D Bandopadhyay and Vivek Gupta under Rule 168, which entails voting.

Trinamool, which walked out of the ruling United Progressive Alliance over the issue, has nine members in the Upper House, which has an effective strength of 244.

A number of parties including BJP and Left have already given notices for moving a motion under this rule and the House will take up the discussion on December 6 and 7.

Earlier, during the all-party meeting on November 26, Trinamool Congress had said it would leave it to the presiding officer under which rule the discussion should be held.

Trinamool Chief Whip in Upper House Derek O'Brien said, "This makes quite clear our constant stand on multi-brand retail. There is no flip-flop."

Trinamool's efforts to move a no-confidence motion against the government in Lok Sabha on the FDI issue had failed as it could not muster the required numbers.