Cong says vote on FDI sets 'a bad precedent'

While the Congress greeted Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar’s decision to allow voting on the foreign direct investment (FDI) issue, it stated that it had set an “unhealthy precedent” for putting up executive decisions for legislative vote.

The party also welcomed the speaker’s announcement of clubbing the debate and vote on Fema (Foreign Exchange Management Act) along with the FDI motion. However, the concomitant decision to “keep intact” members’ privilege of moving amendments to the Fema motion within 30 days has the Congress camp worried.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left had demanded a 30-day time period to think over the issue.

In another development, the Election Commission’s decision today to “keep in abeyance” the cash transfer scheme in the poll-bound states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, has also dented the Congress’s buoyant mood over this “game-changer” scheme.

However, the party’s reaction was guarded. Congress spokesperson P C Chacko said: “In principle, the issue has set an unhealthy precedent of putting an executive decision to vote by Parliament. There was nothing illegal or unconstitutional in the decision to bring FDI in multi-brand retail and the government agreed to discuss the issue under section 184 only to ensure smooth running of Parliament.”

Chacko added, “The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) is confident the motion will be rejected in both Houses. We are confident that both Houses will reject the resolution on FDI. We are hopeful this will also eventually discourage use of Parliament for political brinkmanship.”

The Election Commission’s decision to direct the government to defer implementation of direct cash transfer scheme in Gujarat and Himachal has been a setback for the Congress, which was hoping to steal a march over rivals with this cash transfer scheme.

Speaking to reporters, Chacko said, “The Election Commission has not struck down or revoked the cash transfer scheme. It has only kept it in abeyance in these two states till the polls are over.” He added that the government stand was not questioned by the Election Commission. He said the Congress respects the Commission’s “well considered opinion”.