Opposition takes fight against FDI to the streets

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the CPI were participating in 'Sankalp Diwas' (resolution day) organised by the 'Confederation of All India Traders'.

Addressing the protest, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said the struggle against FDI is not restricted to one section of society and it has become common people's fight.

"Vote apka, note unka, sarkar paschim ki, hum aisa nahi hone denge," (your vote, their money and a government of the West -- we shall never let this happen)," he said referring to reports of retail giant Walmart spending money on lobbying for their entry into India.

Senior CPI leader A B Bardhan said, "No one should have any illusion that the matter has been settled merely by voting in Parliament. Notwithstanding all attempts, the government could not muster 272 votes."

Accusing the government of indulging in malpractice, he alleged that 'bribery, manipulation and money won the FDI vote, not the government'.  

He expressed hope that Walmart too would have to leave India like Enron. CPI-M Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said the issue involved 20 crore people. "The struggle is not over yet, neither in Parliament nor on the streets," he said.

He demanded that the government should put on hold its decision to implement FDI till the enquiry into the allegation of lobbying by Walmart is over.

He also warned that the government will have tough time 'manufacturing majority' in Parliament when it moves the amendment to relevant sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act for FDI to become a reality.