A day ahead of the crucial discussions on the FDI in retail in Lok Sabha, slated for Tuesday, both the Government and the Opposition began consolidating their positions.

While the Government said it was confident of getting support against the Opposition’s motions in both the Houses, the Opposition declared that the troubles for the Government on FDI in retail would not end with a debate in Parliament.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party hinted that they would help the Government in Parliament instead of voting in favour of the “communal” Bharatiya Janata Party’s motion.

The BSP reiterated its opposition to FDI in retail, but welcomed the Government’s decision that no State would be compelled to implement the policy.

BSP supremo Mayawati told reporters here on Monday that her party would wait for the Government’s reply to the debate in Parliament before taking a decision on voting. She said BSP was averse to supporting a motion moved by the “communal” BJP and its allies.

Her statement is being seen as a confirmation of BSP’s support to the Government. Mayawati said FDI in retail should not be allowed without studying its possible impact on farmers, small retailers and workers.

The BSP’s support is a must for the Government to defeat the Opposition’s motion in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, the Government can muster a majority even if BSP abstains.

Leaving elbow room for negotiations, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said the Government’s stance that no State would be compelled to implement the policy was a “plus points”. “If FDI in retail proves to be beneficial to the common people, we will not hesitate to support it,” she added.

The SP is likely to take a similar position. The party’s leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the decision on voting would be taken on the floor of the House.

House to streets

The Left parties said on Monday that protests against FDI in retail would be taken to the streets from Parliament House. CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said the issue does not end with vote in Parliament.

“All Opposition parties have opposed the policy and even some UPA allies are not with the Congress on this issue,” he said.

Taking a dig at SP and BSP, senior CPI leader A.B. Bardhan said it has to be seen how many people would be bought by the Government to win the vote in Parliament.

“Let us see what Mulayam and Mayawati do. Mayawati says she is opposed to the policy and Mulayam even came to jail with us, but only in Parliament will we be able to see what they do,” he said.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

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