Trinamool to support UPA's VP candidate Ansari

Trinamool Congress, a major constituent of the United Progressive Alliance, on Monday night decided to support the alliance's vice presidential poll candidate Hamid Ansari but oppose any decision to open the multibrand retail to FDI and bills on forward marketing in commodities and privatisation of pension fund in the monsoon session of Parliament.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of Trinamool parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi.

Trinamool has 28 members in Parliament, 19 in Lok Sabha and 9 in Rajya Sabha.

Railway Minister Mukul Roy, who is the leader of Trinamool parliamentary party, said the decision to support Ansari has been conveyed by party chairperson Mamata Banerjee to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Trinamool Chief Whip Sudip Bandopadhyay said the party has decided to oppose any government decision on opening the multibrand retail sector to foreign direct investment and any legislation on forward marketing in commodities and privatisation of pension fund.

All the Trinamool MPs were present in the meeting.