FDI decisions: TMC gives 72-hour deadline to govt

UPA's outside supporters Samajwadi Party and JD(S) also opposed the decisions on FDI in retail and said they would protest against these steps.

Trinamool Congress will hold a meeting on next Tuesday to discuss the Centre's decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and hike of Rs 5 in diesel price.

"We are giving a 72-hour deadline to roll back the decisions. We will discuss and take a tough stand at the TMC Parliamentary Party meeting on Tuesday if the government does not listen to us," TMC General Secretary and Railway minister Mukul Roy told PTI.

He said Trinamool Congress was strongly opposed to allowing FDI in key sectors like retail, insurance and aviation as it would be harmful for the people of the country.

Roy, who did not attend the Cabinet meeting as he was in Kolkata, said, "We are not in favour of FDI in retail. We are not in favour of FDI in aviation also. We are always in favour of the common people."

His party colleague and MP Kunal Ghose said, "Trinamool Congress is strongly opposing the cabinet decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. We are not in agreement with the decision.

He said TMC registers its "strong protest" but the Centre "is taking anti-people policies."

SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said in Lucknow that his party "feels that allowing FDI in retail would affect Indian market and agriculture. The move would adversely affect Indian economy as retailers and farmers would be ruined by it. The decision in not in the interest of country." (MORE)