FDI in infra, development acceptable, not in retail: BJP

BJP today said it would support FDI in infrastructure and development but not in the retail sector as it would render crores of small retailers and businessmen jobless.
"We support FDI in infrastructure and development but it is not acceptable in the retail sector as crores of small traders and businesses would be affected by it," BJP president Rajnath Singh said while addressing the 'Vypari Mahasammelan' (traders fair) organised by his party here.
He said wrong economic policies being pursued by the Congress-led UPA government have posed a serious threat to economic sovereignty of the country.
"Chasm between the poor and rich has deepened leading to dissatisfaction and if remedial measures are not taken, it could create civil-war like situation," he said.

Asserting that traders and farmers were the backbone of the Indian economy, Singh said small traders would be given trader card, on the lines of farmer card, to facilitate them to avail loans easily.
The BJP leader said his party was committed to safeguarding the interests of traders and on coming to power, NDA government would set up a Traders Commission to deliberate the problems faced by them.
Attacking the Samajwadi Party and BSP, Singh said they were equally responsible for misgovernance, inflation and corruption by supporting the UPA at the Centre and people would teach them a lesson in the coming elections.