Taking forward her opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail and other reform measures initiated by the Centre, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the UPA government of "selling" the country, and renewed her threat to pull out from the government.
“I do not want the government to fall at this point in time. At the same time, the decisions like hike in diesel price, cap in LPG and introduction of FDI in retail are anti-people. They are trying to sell the country,” Banerjee said addressing a public meeting in Kolkata after a rally against the Centre’s latest decisions. The rally was also attended by Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy.
Speaking on FDI in multi-brand retail, she said, “The Centre is trying to fool us saying, it is up to the state whether to allow foreign investment. The policy is not for some particular states, but for the entire country. It is in our manifesto that we are opposed to this. We do what we say.” Reminding the Centre of the Trinamool Congress’ 72-hour deadline for a roll back of the decisions, she said, “The Centre should not take us for granted. It does not matter whether we have a ministry or not. We are only committed to the common man. We are ready to take tough decisions for the sake of the common people.”
Earlier in the day, Banerjee met representatives from various trade associations in the state, assuring “all possible measures” to ensure roll back of the Centre's decision on FDI in multi-brand retail. All TMC members of Parliament have been asked to present in the parliamentary committee meeting scheduled on Monday, where the the second largest ally of the UPA is likely to take a call on its support to the UPA government.