JD(U)`s flip-flop on format of discussion on FDI in retail

New Delhi: In another flip-flop, JD-U leader Sharad Yadav on Thursday demanded a discussion on FDI in retail in Parliament under a rule that entails voting, hours after he said there should be a debate on the issue even without voting. "We are saying bring it (a discussion in FDI) under rule 184. We also held a discussion under the same provision during NDA regime on Balco disinvestment issue. But they are not agreeing. This is strange. They got it done from us during Vajpayee regime and now they are debating on the rule under which a discussion should be held," he said addressing a seminar. Sharing the stage with BJP leader Arun Jaitley and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, he said "we will link it (FDI policy) with votes and not allow its implementation without it. Unless the prestige of vote comes back, the value of democracy will be lowered."

"Running Parliament is in your hands. You are not ready to agree on your own rules. How can there be an agreement on this"? he said. Earlier in the day, Yadav had said "whether the discussion is under Rule 184 or 193, there should be a debate and this can happen only if all parties come together to discuss issues including the attack on the 5,000-year-old economy." "Discussion can be held under any rule. There are several precedences. I want to appeal to the government that it should not be rigid that under which rule the discussion should take place," he had said. Asked about BJP`s stand that debate on FDI issue should be held under Rule 184 which entails voting, Yadav said "I don`t want to go into this. This can be sorted out in the Business Advisory Committee. The House can solve this issue." PTI