Zeenews Bureau
Kolkata: Opening up a new front against the UPA government, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Manmohan Singh government of going back on its word on involving all stakeholders before opening up multi-brand retail FDI.
Referring to the assurance given by then finance minister and current President Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament, Mamata accused the UPA government of not honouring the commitment made, a news channel expected.
“The decision to permit 51 % FDI in retail trade is suspended till a consensus is developed through consultations among various stakeholders. The stakeholders include political parties and states,” Pranab Mukherjee had said in both houses of Parliament in December 2011.
Mamata’s new posturing is expected to make things difficult for the government and also complicates the matter if the Trinamool MPs go ahead and resign from the UPA government.
Interestingly, the BJP has also taken a similar line on the issue with LK Advani - in view of the promise made by then finance minister - terming the recent decision by the government as a "breach of trust of Parliament".
The BJP plans to meet the President soon and press for a special session of the Parliament to discuss the FDI issue – vote of confidence if the government is reduced to a minority.
