BJP calls for holding all party meet to end row over FDI in retail sector

New Delhi, Dec 5(ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday appealed the ruling Congress party to hold an all-party meet with an aim to end the ongoing row over the entry of the foreign companies in the retail sector.

The reform, which would allow global chains like Wal-Mart and Carrefour to own up to 51 percent of retail ventures, has been met with fierce opposition from some who say it will destroy the livelihood of millions of small traders.

While speaking to mediapersons, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that senior BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani and Sushma Swaraj had met Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and urged him to take adequate measures with an objective to ensure that the parliament functions smoothly.

"Both Lal Krishna Advani and Sushma Swaraj requested Pranab Mukherjee that an all party meeting be called and the government's view on the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in retail be formally conveyed and there after the BJP will formally take its position. As far as the BJP is concerned we are very keen that the parliament must run," said Prasad.

The proposal of introducing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country's 450 billion dollar manufacturing sector has been facing stiff resistance from both the government's allies and opposition ever since the Dr. Manmohan Singh led Central government gave it a green signal, last month.

The BJP, which had proposed a similar policy in 2002, has been leading the pack in opposing the decision in 2011 stating mass unemployment and losses to Indian traders amongst other reasons. (ANI)