New Delhi, Oct 9: BJP, which is strongly resisting FDI in retail, today appeared to rope in support of Samajwadi Party and BSP, saying those against it should demonstrate it in Parliament.
“All those who are against this decision should demonstrate it in reality when Parliament assembles,” senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi told reporters here.
He was responding when asked about BSP chief Mayawati's assertion earlier in the day that her party is against FDI in retail unless it helps improve the condition of the poor.
When referred to the BSP's decision to hold National Executive tomorrow to decide on continuance of outside support to the UPA government, Joshi said, “I wish them good luck and I wish they get enough and good advice to take a proper decision and to refuse their support on FDI in multi-brand retail.”
The Samajwadi Party has already expressed its opposition to the decision on FDI in retail which has triggered a major controversy even as the government is determined to go ahead with its implementation.
On the government's move to bring Bills on FDI in insurance and pension sectors in the next session of Parliament, the BJP leader contended, “They (the government) cannot bring it. This government has no moral or political standing now to bring any law.”
On FDI in retail, Joshi also said that the government's claim that entry of foreign retailers like Walmart will create employment in the country is totally false and instead people engaged in the sector will lose their jobs. He was speaking on a function of traders body CAIT, who are strongly opposing foreign investment in the sector. He said the notion that the foreign retailers will sell their products at lower prices to consumers was also wrong.
“Walmart's total annual sales is about USD 420 billion and it employs only 25 lakh people. While the market size of Indian retail sector is about USD 400 billion and the sector employs 4.5 crores. The figures clearly reflects the truth. This is wrong notion that entry of foreign retailers will help in creating jobs,” he said.
