NEW DELHI: The BJP-Left combine's move to team up and insist on a vote on FDI policy seems to have paid off. The vote is expected to see parties like AIADMK and BJD opposing the government, deepening the impression of a near vertical split in political opinion over FDI.
Although UPA leaders claim the standoff over the FDI policy was not as grave as it was made out to be, it needed some persistent negotiations to bring all supporters on board. Space had to be created for allies like DMK to retreat from their public opposition to FDI.
Government managers can pat itself for getting DMK, SP and BSP - all of whom participated in a nationwide Opposition bandh against FDI last December - to back UPA on a vote in Parliament. The discussion is likely to take place early next week.
In the end getting outside supporters SP and BSP on board proved less challenging than anticipated with Congress sources pointing to the regional parties keeping their distance from recent Opposition sponsored anti-government protests.
Not all the bills are likely to be passed, but the government will like to prioritize some along with taking the advantage of a freshly-minted political consensus over the Lokpal bill to ensure its passage at least in Rajya Sabha where it is pending.
Finance minister P Chidambaram has repeatedly told Congress and in UPA meetings that the government needs to pass the important legislation as there are limits to executive action. The passage of important bills can also persuade the Reserve Bank of India to lower rates. So far, RBI has pointed to the high deficit and inflation to plead its inability to lower lending rates.
AIADMK, BJD to vote against UPA on FDI
This article
AIADMK, BJD to vote against UPA on FDI
can be opened in url
http://newstelestich.blogspot.com/2012/11/aiadmk-bjd-to-vote-against-upa-on-fdi.html
AIADMK, BJD to vote against UPA on FDI
