Dankuni (WB): Remaining firm in her party's opposition to the UPA government's decision on FDI in retail, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that her party is not in favour of the government being toppled.
"I have had a discussion with the Prime Minister on FDI
in retail. I told him that we don't want the government to be
toppled on this issue. This is a very sensitive issue. But at
the same time, it is not possible for us to support FDI entry
into retail. I am sorry," the Trinamool Congress chief told
reporters after an administrative meeting here in Hooghly
district.
"Since you are requesting me, we can discuss this in the
party. But our party's stand is clear," she said.
Urging the Prime Minister to reconsider and withdraw the
Centre's decision, she said, "If necessary, the government
should talk to all UPA partners and seek suggestions and
ensure that the move is withdrawn."
"The Prime Minister requested me to reconsider my
party's stand (on the issue). I requested him if the Centre
could reconsider the decision. We have a definite stand on
this issue. Our party's stand on this is declared in our
manifesto," she said.
Claiming that farmers were forced to buy fertilisers at
higher prices, Banerjee said, "Who is responsible? The Centre
is responsible. The Centre has also not kept its word to raise
the minimum support price for jute growers. We have to protect
our farmers. That is our government's policy."
Trinamool Congress leader and MP Derek O' Brien told agency
from New Delhi that his party "wants a rollback of the
decision of allowing FDI in retail. TC's stand is consistent".
"This was the party's stand during parliamentary election
in 2004, the assembly election in West Bengal in 2006 and also
in 2011. Entry of FDI in retail will do more harm than good,"
he added.
The Trinamool Congress is the second largest constituent
in the UPA with 18 members in the Lok Sabha.
PTI
First Published: Friday, December 02, 2011, 18:37