DMK says its stand on FDI in retail is 'suspense'

The main opposition BJP also said it will oppose the government decision on FDI in Parliament and gave enough signals of trying to build a joint strategy with other political parties and its NDA partners.

With just a week left for the Winter Session of Parliament to begin, DMK president M Karunanidhi said his party's stand on the FDI issue is a "suspense". The support of DMK, the second largest group in UPA with its 18 MPs in Lok Sabha, is crucial for the UPA in case of a voting on a motion.

"Small and medium retail traders in Tamil Nadu are apprehensive that Foreign Direct Investment would greatly affect them. We would discuss and take a decision on this (FDI) keeping their interest in mind," Karunanidhi said.

To persistent queries on why DMK was maintaining suspense on the FDI issue and whether it would support a no-confidence motion against the government, Karunanidhi, also a well-known screenplay writer, said: "I have written the script for more than 100 films. A film would be successful only if it has suspense."

When asked whether DMK would support Left parties and some other parties' proposed resolution with provision for voting in Parliament on FDI, he said the party's views would be made known after consultations with DMK Parliamentary Party members.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has had a significant meeting with Karunanidhi on Monday though what they discussed has not been officially disclosed by either side.

Meanwhile, acting on a joint decision of four Left parties on Monday, the CPI(M) today said it has submitted notices in both the Houses seeking a discussion on the issue under rules entailing voting. MORE