PM rebuts Oppn charges, says FDI in retail has nothing to do with US

Unfazed by the uproar over FDI in retail and other tough decisions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today indicated that the government may continue with the reforms process and expressed willingness to discuss issues with allies.

"We will do what is good for the country... reforms are not one-off process," he said.

The Prime Minister was responding to questions on demands for rollback of decisions on FDI in multi-brand retail, diesel price hike and cap on subsidised LPG cylinders by the opposition.

When asked to respond to reservations expressed by allies that the recent decisions could hurt their electoral prospects, Singh said the issue could be discussed. "We are far away from elections."

Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of new Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

During the week, the UPA coordination committee had discussed the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail and other decisions.

When his attention was drawn to allegations by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's that FDI was aimed at pleasing the US, he responded saying, "What has the US got to do with this. We are not a country to be dictated by others."

Asked about attacks on him by Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee, who recently walked out of the UPA, he said, "I am not bitter about anything."

On the Supreme Court's opinion on the issue of auction of natural resources, the Prime Minister said, "We honour the judgement."

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