Antony criticises Modi govt over FDI move in defence

Former Defence Minister and senior Congress leader A K Antony today criticised the Narendra Modi-led NDA government for its move to allow 100 per cent foreign investment in defence sector and alleged it was aimed at appeasing multinationals and corporates.
Speaking at a function at the KPCC office here, he said the move was not in the larger interest of the nation.
It was with aimed at helping the foreign multi-nationals and Indian corporates, the Congress Working Committee member charged.
BJP government wanted to appease the multinationals and corporates and the initial days of the government was an indicator towards this, he said.

The move to open the country's defence sector for 100 per cent FDI would result in the sector being controlled by foreign forces, he said.
Antony said that despite "pressures", the previous Manmohan Singh Government did not allow 100 per cent FDI in defence sector and limited it to 26 per cent in select areas.

He also flayed the rail fare hike, saying it would only burden the common man. Plans to hike price of sugar, LPG, petrol, diesel and kerosene clearly indicated hard days were ahead for common man.
On the drubbing his party received in the Lok Sabha polls, Antony said Congress has faced many defeats in the past also, but it emerged victorious later.

"The party will stage a come back under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," he added.
Antony also gave full support to the anti-liquor campaign launched by KPCC President V M Sudheeran and said it had been well accepted by the people of the state.