New Delhi:
The government has decided to suspend its decisions on Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in retail till a consensus is reached among political parties. But will the move bring peace in Parliament? Seems like it won't - as the Opposition still continues to insist that it wants a rollback not a "holdback".
Yesterday, the government's main trouble-shooter, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, called the BJP's Sushma Swaraj and said, "FDI is in abeyance till consensus emerges among all affected parties." The same call was then placed to the Left's Sitaram Yechury.
But despite Mr Mukherjee's call, neither the Left nor the BJP, who have struck gold with this opportunity to embarrass the government, have indicated a change in stand. They continue to demand a "rollback."
Both Mr Yechury and Ms Swaraj have suggested that the government call an all-party meeting to share its plans. That group session has been fixed for Wednesday at 9.30 am, after which Mr Mukherjee will make a statement in Parliament.
"I told Pranab-da it's best if you tell us your decision at the all-party meeting so that we can understand it. Then there's a chance of the House functioning smoothly," said Ms Swaraj. "But if you don't tell us of your decision here, then it's possible there will be protests in Parliament," she warned.
"Pranab Mukherjee called us to say the government has decided to keep the (FDI) decision in suspension. Therefore Parliament proceedings should be allowed to continue. I told him another all party meeting can be convened where the government can inform everyone about its decision. We want a rollback," insisted Sitaram Yechury.
Meanwhile, the top brass of the BJP will meet in the Capital this morning to discuss the FDI issue. Party president Nitin Gadkari will chair this meeting.
The opposition may claim that it's calling the shots in the FDI battle, but it's Mamata Banerjee who owns bragging rights for forcing the government to change its mind, a consequence of which is a dent to the Prime Minister's authority.
Late last week, Ms Banerjee made it clear that she cannot support the government's decision to allow 51% foreign ownership of multi-brand retail stores because she believes it will jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers and traders by allowing the entry of international super-chains like Wal-Mart and Tesco. Subtly, the Congress indicated that it may not feel very differently - an opinion that was no doubt influenced by the fact that key states like Uttar Pradesh vote soon.
Last week, at a public speech, Dr Manmohan Singh defended the reform in retail and indicated it could not be reversed. He, like Mr Mukherjee and Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, stressed that individual states can choose to ignore the union government's policy. Describing the reforms as "an enabling framework," Mr Sharma told NDTV last week that it was "in deference" to Ms Banerjee that the centre ensured that states were given the right to adopt or reject the new rules on FDI in retail.
Corporate India has urged the opposition not to aim for political petty gains by fighting the government's attempt to emerge from the "policy paralysis" it has been criticized for. Law Minister Salman Khurshid tried to find a brave spin- it's not a setback, he said. If the government is forced to slide from a "holdback" to a "rollback," the Prime Minister will be severely embarrassed.