Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) As UPA ally Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee said the government was putting the decision on foreign equity in retail on hold, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said sense has prevailed with the government.

Reacting to media reports about the government putting on hold the decision on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail, BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said the party would take a decision on its next step after the decision is officially communicated.

“We haven’t heard anything (from government) but what we are hearing from media, I can always say better sense has prevailed with the government. What happened to winter session last year will not happen this year,” Singh told a TV channel.

“It’s important that the government upholds principles of democracy, which is consulting with various parties which are its allies, and in opposition, (before) taking such major steps which affect crores and crores of people and their livelihood,” he said.

The BJP leader said the change of stand was a result of pressure from both opposition and allies.

“If they have started thinking about it, it is because of the pressure of the opposition, pressure of the allies and pressure of the people. Popular mood of the country has prevailed and pressurised the government,” he said.

Nearly half of parliament’s winter session has been lost to protests mainly over foreign equity in retailing. The Congress allies, both Trinamool Congress and DMK, have also been opposing the move.

Speaking to media persons in Kolkata, Banerjee said the government’s decision had been communicated to her by union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

“I had telephonic conversations with him (Mukherjee) twice today (Saturday). He has told me that the centre has decided to suspend implementation of the decision to allow FDI in retail. He has told me that the decision will not be implemented unless there was consensus on the issue,” Banerjee said.