Gains of FDI

Gains of FDI

* Finally, FDI in retail has won, despite opposition in Parliament ('FDI sales through Parliament', IE, December 10). It is not a victory for the Congress or a loss for the BJP but a victory for the consumer. Farmers will benefit because foreign retail chains will buy directly from them and no middlemen will be involved. The country's revenues are likely to increase as these companies will pay taxes. This does not mean the small companies and stores won't survive. They will probably do better work and pay more attention to quality.

— Ishmit Oberoi

Ludhiana

Birth of a party

* THE former Karnataka CM, B.S. Yeddyurappa, was relentless in his attack on the BJP's central leadership, often for no valid reason ('Karnataka govt in trouble as 13 MLAs attend BSY show of strength', IE, December 10). For a long time, top BJP leaders tried to placate Yeddyurappa, even acquiescing to his choice of candidates to succeed him as CM. Yeddyurappa's new party is bound to affect the BJP's electoral chances in the assembly polls of 2013. The real test for Yeddyurappa will be to wean away non-Lingayat BJP MLAs. He seems restless to return to the top post in the state. It will be interesting to watch how he plays second fiddle in case his party is forced to support a coalition.

— Ganapathi Bhat

Akola

States of the nation

* ONE pattern seems to show up quite clearly in Indian politics — regional parties are overwhelming national ones ('Regional parties must unite to fight national parties', IE, November 8). TMC chief Mamata Banerjee withdrew support from the UPA, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has kept the Centre guessing, while the DMK has been weighing its options. The Congress will have to work hard to cobble together a coalition of allies for the next election. Even the BJP is finding it difficult to hold the NDA together, because of corruption charges and rebellious state leaders. The current situation could indicate growing regional power and weakening national parties. It remains to be seen whether this is the symptom of a maturing democracy or the disintegration of a national approach to politics. Not that India has not seen coalitions before, but the present situation seems to indicate that coalitions are the only way forward.

... contd.

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