As TMC plans no-trust motion, DMK says rethink retail FDI

DMK ready to back House resolution against move, TMC talks of 'federal front'

AS former UPA ally Mamata Banerjee held a rally in New Delhi against FDI in multi-brand retail on Monday, in Chennai, its partner DMK urged the Centre to reconsider the move.

DMK supremo M Karunanidhi also said the party, the UPA's second largest constituent after Trinamool's departure, would support any resolution in Parliament against the FDI move. However, it would not go so far as to rock the government's boat, he assured.

Speaking to reporters at the DMK headquarters after the party's executive committee meeting, Karunanidhi said in reply to a question that they would support a resolution if any against the proposal. Earlier the DMK adopted a resolution saying FDI in multi-brand retail was not suited for a developing country like India and would affect the poor, middle class and small-time traders. The meeting chaired by Karunanidhi also urged the Centre to reject the recommendations put forth by the Kelkar committee on fiscal consolidation.

Going all out against the UPA at Delhi's rally, Mamata said her party would move a no-confidence motion against the government "if need be", over FDI and price rise, the next time Parliament is in session.

"I appeal to the political parties whose support has kept this government alive for now. This government is bound to fall and my information is that it will not last beyond March. If need be, we will move a resolution of no-confidence against this government in the next session," she said.

The Trinamool chief also announced plans to form a "federal front" with all regional parties, saying the country was no longer ruled from Delhi. As JD(U) chief and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav shared the stage with her, Mamata said: "I will go to Lucknow on November 17 and... I will call (Samajwadi Party chief) Mulayamji and (Uttar Pradesh CM) Akhilesh to share the dais with us."

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