Motion against FDI passed in WB House amidst LF wallkout

Trinamool Congress has made history with the state assembly the first to pass a motion against FDI in retail, which she hoped other states would follow suit and jointly request the Centre to revoke the decision, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in the House.

The Trinamool Congress was raising the voice of entire nation, Banerjee said in support of the motion moved by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.

Citing examples, she said global retail chain Walmart was cautioned by the US government to procure at least 60 per cent of the domestic product.

Banerjee said that her party had no other alternative but to withdraw its ministers and support from the UPA government because of the party's commitment and accountability to the people.

Banerjee said the party had moved a motion in the House in 2007 against FDI entry in retail which was opposed by the then ruling Left Front constituent CPI(M) and Congress and the LF was now staging a drama on the issue.

The opposition Congress was defeated by a massive margin, while LF walked out in protest against Speaker Biman Banerjee disallowing several amendments brought by the Leader of the Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra.

Congress members in the opposition bench stayed back after the LF walkout.

Banerjee criticised the CPI(M) saying that the proposal of 51 per cent FDI in civil aviation was passed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation where a marxist leader was chairman.