Parties should reconsider their stand on FDI issue: Govt

Government Monday appealed to political parties who want discussion on FDI with a vote to reconsider their stand and hoped for a solution.

New Delhi: With a consensus eluding the all- party meeting on the FDI issue, government Monday appealed to political parties who want discussion on it with a vote to reconsider their stand and hoped that a solution will be found. "I have appealed to those who want a discussion under Rule 184 (in Lok Sabha) to reconsider their views. I have heard everybody`s view. I will discuss the matter with the presiding officers of both Houses to see how Parliament gets to work. We will find a way out," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters after the meeting here.

The meeting attended by BJP leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, RJD leader Lalu Prasad, TMC leader Sudeep Bandyopadhayay, DMK leader T R Baalu, BJD leader Arjun Charan Sethi, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav and BSP leader Mayawati among others lasted almost two hours. Describing the meeting as "very useful", Nath said, "All political parties have given their views that the House must run. Political parties are unanimous that the House should run." On differences of opinions at the meeting, he said, "Some political parties expressed their opinion that they want discussion with voting. Many others have said they want discussion and it does not matter under which rule...It should be left to presiding officers of both Houses." Asked whether the government is shying away from voting, Nath replied in negative. "We are not shying away from a vote but we have to respect the feelings of other political parties also," he said. BJD leader B Mahatab said his party has already given notice for a discussion under Rule 184 in Lok Sabha which entails voting. He made it clear that his party is opposed to FDI in multi-brand retail, saying it will ruin the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. PTI