FDI in retail: BJP wants rollback, DMK presses for discussion

Key UPA constituent DMK today pressed for a discussion in Parliament on allowing FDI in retail sector, but refused to specify the format under which it wants the debate.

"DMK wants a discussion on FDI in retail in Parliament", party MP T Siva told reporters.

While the government's main opposition BJP today remained adamant on its demand for rollback of FDI in retail sector and it leaders held a series of meetings to chalk out further strategy on the issue.

"DMK has not changed its stand. We have said in the all-party meeting also. There is no change in our stand," said the MP whose party has joined the opposition in protesting against the FDI decision.

Asked about DMK's view on the language of the adjournment motion under which the opposition is demanding a discussion, Siva said the working "does not matter now," Siva said.

When asked on the stand the party will take on the adjournment motion, if moved, he said, "We will see when the motion comes in the House."

"We have already conveyed our views on the FDI explicitly," he said.

The Prime Minister is discussing the issue with parties and the DMK has conveyed its views on the FDI issue already in the all party meeting, he added.

Yesterday, DMK chief M Karunandihi had said that the party would decide on how to vote on the adjournment motion when the issue comes up

Also, LK Advani and other BJP leaders met before the start of Parliament and decided that the government should either rollback the FDI decision or else it will move an adjournment motion on the issue.

It was also decided at the meeting that party leader Murli Manohar Joshi would move the adjournment motion in Lok Sabha, as there was no sign of the government withdrawing the FDI move.

Advani and Sushma Swaraj, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, said that the government has not reached out to them on the issue of running Parliament smoothly. "We have not heard from anyone. We have no information," the two leaders said.

BJP spokeperson Shahnawaz Hussain said outside Parliament, "The BJP is seeking a rollback on the FDI decision and a discussion on price rise issue. But, the government has no interest in running Parliament...."

He said, "The government, which is the custodian of Parliament, is not interested in running it, then how will it run smoothly. The ruling party seems disinterested."