The political upheaval over FDI in retail failed to subside today despite an all-party meeting, with a united Opposition, joined by UPA constituents Trinamool Congress and DMK, stalling the proceedings by remaining adamant on their demand for a rollback.
No business was transacted in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha as trouble started as soon as the Houses met for the day.
Earlier, an all-party meeting convened by the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, over the FDI issue resulted in a failure with the Opposition demanding nothing short of rollback.
However, Mr Pranab Mukherjee told them that no decision in this regard could be taken without consulting the Union Cabinet, which had approved allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail last week.
‘FDI wapas lo, Sansad chalao’ (Revoke FDI decision, run Parliament) was the refrain of the Opposition inside and outside Parliament, which has virtually not transacted any business since the Winter Session began last Tuesday.
It was trouble from the beginning in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha over the FDI issue, as also a range of demands including separate Telangana and the safety of Mullaperiyar dam.
Two key constituents of the UPA — Trinamool Congress and DMK — also joined the Opposition to protest against the Government’s decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail. Trinamool members were seen in the aisle shouting ‘Cancel FDI in retail’.
Both the Houses were first adjourned as soon as they assembled at 11.00 am and again after they reassembled at noon, members from BJP, TRS, Left parties and others trooped into the well.
Most of the members carried placards saying ‘Withdraw decision to open retail sector to FDI’, ‘Introduce separate Telangana Bill’ and ‘Save people of Kerala, ensure Mullaperiyar Dam’s safety’.
Congress members from the Telangana region raised slogans from the aisle carrying placards, while TRS MPs came into the well demanding the creation of a separate Telangana state.
At the all-party meeting, Mr Pranab Mukherjee tried to resolve the logjam over the FDI issue telling an unrelenting Opposition that it would discuss the demand for a rollback with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
The Opposition parties, led by BJP and the Left, stuck to their stand and demanded the rollback of the Cabinet’s decision on the issue.
Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha as the Opposition members began shouting slogans against the FDI decision even before the Chairman, Mr Hamid Ansari, took his seat.
“FDI vapas lo, vapas lo,” they shouted as Mr Ansari took up the first listed question.
Virtually no business could be transacted as the entire Opposition supported by Trinamool Congress protested seeking rollback of FDI in retail.
BJP, BSP, JD-U and AIADMK members shouted slogans demanding withdrawal of the decision to allow FDI in retail, while Left MPs from Kerala moved into the aisles displaying banners highlighting the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam.
Barely couple of minutes into the din, Mr Ansari adjourned the House till noon.
Similar scenes were witnessed when the House re-assembled at noon and the Deputy Chairman, Mr K. Rahman Khan, adjourned it for the day.