Moral defeat for govt: opposition

The Opposition tonight dubbed the government's victory on FDI vote in Lok Sabha as a "moral defeat" alleging the ruling dispensation managed the numbers by using CBI to pressurise political parties.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said it has become clear that the government is in "minority".

"This has hapened for the third time consecutively when the government could mange a simple majority in Lok sabha.

First time was during the passage of the Lokpal bill, second time during the discussion on price rise and today is the third occasion," she said.

Talking to reporters after the vote, Swaraj said beside Congress, the role of SP and BSP has also been "exposed."

"They were on our side during the debate but voted against the motion. Had they voted according to their speech in the House, then the government would have been defeated on FDI. Though they won technically, they have lost morally," she said.

Trinamool Congress' Sudip Bandhopadhyay claimed the numbers show that UPA is in minority.

"The day TMC withdrew support from the government, it was reduced to a minority. Had they been in majority, they would have got 272 votes but they did not get that number which means they do not have majority. It is not a moral victory," he said.

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the "defeat" of the government in Lok Sabha is "clear." "Government needs to have 276 and they did not get it," he said.

Harsimrat Kaur (SAD) alleged that "some members voted in favour of FDI policy because of CBI pressure and other considerations."

"It is a huge moral defeat for the government. The House stands virtually divided on the issue. Even after the walkout by SP and BSP, the margin is so small. The vote clearly shows there is no overwhelming majority for the government," said CPI National Secretary D Raja.

... contd.

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