Maya OK with FDI, with riders

A day before the BSP national executive is slated to decide on whether to continue outside support to the UPA government at the Centre, party chief Mayawati said today that they would support FDI in multi-brand retail if it benefits farmers and small businesses.

Addressing a rally at the Ramabai Ambedkar ground in Lucknow, Mayawati said, "Kendra ki sarkar ke hisaab se FDI ki neeti se kisano aur chhote kaamon mein lage logon ke hit ke sath sath agar apne desh ki arthvyavastha mein sudhar aata hai, toh phir humari party iska samarthan karegi (As per the central government, if FDI in retail improves the country's economy and also benefits the farmers and people involved in small businesses, our party will support it)."

However, she added that her party would only support FDI after evaluating its effect. Opposing the diesel price hike and the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders, Mayawati said the decisions have hit the poor and middle class. "The government should also put some burden on capitalists for improving the economy, not just on the poor and middle class," she said, adding that the Centre should increase the prices of luxury goods.

Stating that the Lok Sabha elections could be held "before time", Mayawati told her party workers that today's rally marked the start of the BSP's election campaign, and they should work on a war footing to strengthen the organisation.

Warning the people not to fall in the UPA's trap of poll promises, she said: "If the UPA government once again comes to power, I can clearly see your condition deteriorating." She also criticised the Centre for "sitting on the Lokpal Bill, food security Bill and new land acquisition policy."

In her hour-long speech, Mayawati spent much time criticising the SP government in the state. She criticised the state government for cancelling the holiday on the death anniversary of BSP founder Kanshiram, and changing the names of districts, parks and universities which were named after Dalit icons by her government.

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