The Bahujan Samaj Party has reiterated its opposition to FDI in retail, but welcomed the Government’s decision that no state will be compelled to implement the policy.
Party supremo Mayawati told reporters here on Monday that the party will wait for the Government’s reply to the debate in Parliament before taking a decision on voting.
She said the party is averse to support a motion moved by the “communal” Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies.
Her statement is seen as a confirmation of BSP’s support to the Government. She said FDI in retail should not be allowed without studying its possible impact on the farmers, small retailers and workers.
BSP’s support is a must for the Government to defeat the Opposition’s motion in the Rajya Sabha. The Government can muster a majority in the Lok Sabha even if the BSP abstains from voting.
Leaving an elbow room for negotiations, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said the Government’s announcement that no state will be compelled to implement the policy is a “plus point”.
“If the FDI in retail was proved beneficial to the common people, we will not hesitate to support it,” she added.