Left says it was not consulted

, "The Left parties have taken the government's decision very seriously and will discuss this on January 27, when they meet to finalise their strategy on the Iran nuclear issue, ahead of the meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency."

Commerce Minister Kamal Nath is learnt to have called up Yechury last evening to inform him about the decision.

Nath, sources said, told Yechury that it was a one-off move and the government had not opened up the entire retail sector. Yechury is said to have replied that the move has opened the door for FDI in retail.

CPI and CPI (M) today reiterated their opposition but did not demand a reversal of the decision. "The government had said it would respond formally (to the Left note opposing FDI in retail that was submitted at a UPA-Left coordination committee meeting earlier). While the discussion remains inconclusive, the government has taken a decision...unilaterally...The party will mobilise masses to resist this," CPI said.

"Deploring" the manner in which the government took such crucial decisions, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said it showed that the coordination committee meetings had become a "farce".

The BJP has also opposed the move, describing it a "cruel joke" on small businesses. "The move is going to hit small traders and businesses hard. It's a cruel joke on them. We will also oppose it hard in Parliament in the coming session. We will also hold protests outside Parliament," BJP parliamentary party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said.

On Monday, BJP chief Rajnath Singh had told a meeting of traders in Delhi that his party would not allow FDI in retail.