Parliament tussle: Opposition motion against FDI in retail defeated in the Lok Sabha

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, who had moved the motion, maintained that majority of the House was against FDI in retail which was reflected in speeches of leaders of different political parties.

Swaraj said going by speeches in the debate on FDI, leaders of various parties which extended support in favour of the motion and against bringing FDI in multi-brand retail had 282 votes and those against it had 224 votes.

She said 22 leaders of 18 parties participated in the debate on FDI in multi-brand retail of which 14 spoke in its favour.

"I wanted the thought to be converted into vote that will be engraved in the history of Lok Sabha," Swaraj said, lamenting that this did not seem happening as some parties like SP and BSP which vehemently opposed the entry of FDI in retail had already walked out to avoid voting on the issue.

While seeking to reach out to wider opposition camp, she said it was not a vote on communal or secular lines but about the interest of the country.

After the voting, she told reporters that the government "won technically but lost on moral grounds."

The Commerce Minister said out of 21 states which responded to the Centre's communication on the issue, 11 supported in writing the move to open multi-brand retail.

Only 7 states opposed the proposal, while few sought clarifications, he said, adding that he personally met PunjabChief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In the backdrop of the federal structure of the country, he said, the Centre decided to leave the final decision on states whether to allow foreign investment in retail.

"No one can take away the right of an elected government to take decision", he said adding the decision was taken after discussions with the stakeholders.

... contd.

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