TMC, Left target govt in Rajya Sabha on FDI

NEW DELHI: In a rare show of unity, arch rivals Trinamool Congress and Left parties came together in Rajya Sabha on Thursday to target the government over FDI in defence and railways. They alleged the decision was taken in a "hurry" and amounted to "selling" the country's interests.

Soon after the House convened, Trinamool's Derek O'Brien raised the issue but Chairman Hamid Ansari said the matter could be taken up later.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley said the issue was discussed in the House earlier at the time of general and railway budget and the Cabinet had only taken a formal decision now.

CPM's Sitaram Yechury drew the attention of the chair to take up the Trinamool leader's notice for suspension of question hour for raising the issue. While the chairman said question hour could not be suspended, Yechury insisted it be the first item in zero hour.

O'Brien said the issue was serious and questioned its timing saying the government was in a hurry to implement it ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed US visit in September.

Earlier, CPM MP Tapan Sen said that it was a matter of "serious alarm" that the government was introducing FDI in railways and defence. "We are opposing as it is not in the interest of the nation," he said.

O'Brien said, "What has happened in the last 10 days in allowing FDI is a very serious issue: 100% FDI has been allowed in railways and 49% in defence. The timing of it and the way it has happened leaves a lot to be desired."

He added, "This is not the way to go about. FDI is not the panacea of all problems. FDI is not foreign direct investment, it is foreign direct interference, it is foreign direct intrusion."

CPM's P Rajeeve and CPI's D Raja joined the Trinamool MP in opposing the decision. "We strongly protest FDI in railways, insurance and defence sector," Rajeeve said.

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