JD-U hails Mamata's decision to quit UPA

"I salute Mamata Banerjee for the step she has taken. She has taken a big step to save the nation," JD-U president Sharad Yadav told PTI.

He was reacting to Banerjee's announcement of withdrawing her party's support from the UPA on the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail, diesel hike and the cap of six subsidised cylinders to each household per year.

"Such an injustice was never done to people in last 64 years since the country got independence. By bringing FDI in multi-brand retail, the government is shutting the door on the employment of 22 crore people.

"This is worse than the Emergency imposed by late Indira Gandhi in 1975. While she opened the locks after two years of emergency, the closed doors of employment for small traders will never open up once FDI in multi-brand retail is in," Yadav, who is also the convener of the NDA, said.

He said people of the country have begun "standing unitedly" against the government's move and "Banerjee's step has given a wider dimension to the protest".

"When people rise against any government, it cannot survive their anger," the JD-U chief said.