NEW DELHI: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance on Tuesday decided to focus on moving a motion in Parliament under a voting provision to oppose FDI in multi-brand retail, leaving Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee isolated over her no-trust vote proposal.
Banerjee was on the brink of a major embarrassment as NDA joined the Left in formally indicating that it finds opposing the government on FDI a much more paying proposition than a no-confidence motion as it would result in a strong coalition of BJP, Left and regional parties.
Trinamool's efforts to reach out to the Left also failed as CPM leaders reiterated their position that a no-trust motion will only see regional parties like Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) along with smaller entities bailing out the government.
The tone for the NDA meeting was set by BJP leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley who argued that the government has gone back on its word that it will not proceed to implement the FDI proposal without taking political parties on board.
Janata Dal (U) leader Sharad Yadav said the FDI issue will recreate the Opposition unity seen during the Bharat bandh last December.
NDA leaders felt the government should be held to account for breaking the word of President Pranab Mukherjee who as the finance minister had said no decision to allow global retailers will be taken without striving for a political consensus.
Banerjee also found herself at the receiving end of parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath's jibes. ""For the first time in my 32 years in Parliament, I am seeing a party with 19 members moving a no-confidence motion," a confident Nath said.
NDA did hold out a sop for Banerjee, saying the alliance will "explore the possibilities" for a no-confidence motion, but the formulation is intended more to keep lines with the Trinamool leader open rather than any serious political calculation. BJP leaders feel Congress's ally turned foe can be a useful partner in Parliament.
The Opposition alliance's decision sets the stage for a stormy start to Parliament's winter session with BJP and Left preparing to press for motions entailing a vote that will be rejected with equal force by the government. This would well mean disruptions marking the first few days of the session.
After having blocked the entire monsoon session over Coalgate, BJP is not keen on a prolonged stand-off over FDI. It could be willing to settle for some hard bargaining with the government that can ensure a detailed debate in Parliament.
BJP sources said that even a debate without a vote will help the Opposition's cause as it will allow Congress allies like DMK and outside supporters like SP express their reservations. SP leader Ramgopal Yadav said, "we have decided not to implement FDI in UP. We will decide on voting when the time comes."
A debate on FDI will effectively demonstrate Congress's isolation while recreating the wide unity of political parties seen during the Bharat bandh organized to oppose the move.
"NDA will move a resolution under voting provisions seeking disapproval of the government's decision (to permit FDI in multi-brand retail) and urging the government to withdraw the decision," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said after the meeting.
On the Trinamool's proposal for a no-confidence motion, Prasad said, "This government has failed on all the fronts and the time has come for it go. The NDA would consult all political parties to explore the possibility of a no-confidence motion against the government."
The meeting was attended by senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, NDA convener Sharad Yadav, Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujral, Shiv Sena leader Ananth Geete, JD(U)'s Shivanand Tiwari and Kuldeep Bishnoi of Haryana Janhit Party.
NDA wants vote on FDI in retail in House
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NDA wants vote on FDI in retail in House
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NDA wants vote on FDI in retail in House
