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FDI decision aimed at distracting Parliament: NDA

Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance on Monday accused the government of allowing foreign direct investment in retail with an aim of distracting and disrupting Parliament that was set to discuss crucial issues of price rise and black money.

NDA Convenor and Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav and BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said the question of allowing Parliament to function does not arise till government withdraws the decision on FDI.

They also charged that Commerce Minister Anand Sharma did not discuss the FDI issue with the opposition before going ahead with the plan.

"Anand Sharma has written to all that he has talked to the stakeholders before taking this decision. Who are these stakeholders? Government should have talked to political parties," Yadav told reporters outside Parliament House.

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'FDI policy should be withdrawn'

He alleged that if this policy is accepted, then traders will be adversely affected. It will also lead to escalation in unemployment problem in the country.

Asked if the opposition will allow Parliament to function if the FDI decision remains in place, Yadav shot back, "The question does not arise."

"This is under a government plan not to allow Parliament to function. They have allowed FDI at a juncture when the

Parliament was to discuss price rise and black money," Yadav said, adding that the decision was hurried through even though some of the Cabinet ministers were opposed to the proposal.

NDA demanded that the FDI decision be withdrawn immediately. "The entire opposition, other than Shiromani Akali Dal, is demanding that FDI policy should be withdrawn," Yadav said.

Hussain charged that due to the government bringing up the FDI issue, the price rise and black money issues have been pushed back.