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Not impressed with a slew of populist decisions by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) said going back on an executive or legislative decision was not beneficial to the country. Industry leaders felt the country needed a balanced and stable government that would take bold decisions.
After meeting Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s prime miniterial candidate Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar, Ficci president Sidharth Birla, said, "We are not concerned or bothered about just one party, we are concerned about whether actions are being taken or not."
He elaborated on a few decisions of the government, which Ficci found "disturbing". "When AAP had come, they had spoken about power and water. Ficci's point of view was if the system could be made more efficient, leakage be reduced and benefits be given to the common man, it would be very good indeed. However, the announcement that has come now has gone back to dolling out subsidies again. We are against needless subsidy. Same is in the case with water. It is not good for the country."
The AAP government withdrew the approval given by the previous Sheila Dikshit-led government on allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multibrand retail in Delhi.
On its part, however, Ficci has sent a letter to Kejriwal and invited him for an interaction, which is likely to take place in a month's time.
