Mamata Banerjee, the beleaguered ally of UPA-2 has decided to take head on the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, on the issue of permitting foreign direct investment in the retail trade. After announcing her plans to hold a dharna pradarshan at Jantar Mantar on October 1 on facebook, this evening she posted an old letter of the prime minister written in capacity as the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha during NDA government’s regime in 2002.
In the letter Dr. Manmohan Singh had categorically stated “This matter (about permitting FDI in retail) was raised in Rajya Sabha two days ago and the Finance Minister gave an assurance that government had no proposal to invite FDI in retail trade.” Letter is dated 21 December 2002.
Mamata Banerjee further posted another letter written by Federation of Associations of Maharashtra to Manmohan Singh as a prime minister in December 2004. The letter quoted Prime Minister (then leader of opposition) saying “India doesn’t require this kind of reforms which would rather than creating employment, would destroy employment.” This letter was written to PM in reference with proposed reconsideration of present policy in retail trade to permit FDI in retail trade.
The letter goes on to say that we (federation) had met you (as leader of oppositon in Rajya Sabha) couple of times on the issue and you had obtained the assurance from the finance minister regarding the issue. It is difficult to comprehend, how the Congress party which had so consistently opposed the move for last five years would think it proper to revise the policy within six months of forming the government.
These letters would give a shot in arm to opposition parties who are continuously taking on the government over proposed reforms.
