Trinamool to move resolution on FDI in Parliament

Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said on Saturday that his party would move a resolution on foreign direct investment in Parliament during the winter session.

Trinamool leaders want a nationwide debate on FDI in retail trade and a vote in Parliament on the issue, Roy said. He made these comments after party chief Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with the Trinamool ministers who yesterday resigned from the Union cabinet.

"The Prime Minister usually addresses the nation on Independence Day and Republic Day and when a national crisis emerges. It is not clear why he addressed the nation yesterday. Why was it so urgent? Also, there was nothing inspiring in the speech," Roy told reporters.

He did not disclose what was discussed at the meeting. "She called us to have tea," Roy said.

After the Trinamool withdrew support from UPA II yesterday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation, emphasising the need for reforms in the country. Money does not grow on trees, Singh had observed.

Trinamool leaders said the Prime Minister's unscheduled address to the nation was an indication of an "imminent crisis" at the Centre.

The Trinamoool has also planned a nationwide agitation against the Centre's move to allow FDI in multi-brand retail trade. This will include a protest rally in Delhi on September 26, Roy said.

Party activists across the nation plan to hit the streets in protest against the Centre's move to increase diesel price, the limit on subsidised domestic LPG cylinders and allowing FDI in multi-brand retail trade. Sources said the party was in touch with "like-minded" outfits in other states to explore the possibility of launching a joint movement against FDI in multi-brand retail trade.

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