After hemming and hawing for days about its stand on foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, the DMK, a constituent of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), on Tuesday decided to support the government on the issue, “to prevent its fall and the communal BJP from coming to power.”
The continuation of the UPA at the Centre is the need of the hour, Mr. Karunanidhi said in a statement, explaining his party’s decision.
Reminded about his earlier stand that the DMK will not support FDI in retail, Mr. Karunanidhi said that the insistence of the BJP and other parties on a debate with voting had an ulterior motive. There was no denying the fact that the government was likely to fall if the Opposition’s demand for a debate with voting was allowed in Parliament.
“They are keen on changing the government and creating tumultuous scenes in Parliament. We understood their designs and decided to support the government,” he told reporters here.
Some weeks ago, the DMK leader had indicated that his party would go against FDI in retail if there was a vote. He later diluted his stand by talking about retaining the “suspense” over what the party would do. His clarification on Tuesday ended the suspense.
The DMK leader said that if the UPA Government plunged into a crisis, it would be an advantage to the communal BJP, which made a mountain out of a molehill in the 2G spectrum allocation case and levelled imaginative allegations against the Centre about a purported loss of Rs. 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.
“When these facts are taken into account, the present situation will benefit the BJP and other communal forces. If the BJP gains ground and a government supported by it comes to power it may lead to more and more 2G-like allegations, kar sevas, Babri Masjid-type demolitions and violence against minorities. We should not give any room for a party that will create panic over imaginary scams and make people fall a prey to its designs to come to power.”
Mr. Karunanidhi said that FDI in retail would not affect small traders and farmers in Tamil Nadu, as the Centre had made it clear that it would not compel any State to implement its decision.
“Public peace, economic growth and welfare of the people will be ensured only if a government elected by the people remains stable and strong,” he said.
Keywords: FDI issue, Parliament debate, DMK, UPA, Karunanidhi
With the DMK and UPA Govt it's a case of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. DMK wants A.Raja and Kanimozhi to be cleared and come with a clean chit in the 2G scam. In return UPA Govt wants their support with regards to the FDI. In no time, they will try to fool us all into thinking that there was no loss in the 2G auctions.
Doesn't it sound familiar? Accepting with bitterness, Keeping communal forces away
from power. Does he still think we are stupid and believe what he says?
I am wondering when he is going to give a clear and candid reply on any
issue.
If he differs from the ideologies of UPA in thousand ways as he said
then what is the reason he is sticking with UPA after all this
differences
It is a joke DMK supports UPA govt with 'bitterness'. The resolution in LS regards to FDI Retail and a vote against this is of no consequence on UPA survival but still DMK chose not to vote against. Hence evident that all that DMK's concerns were just crocodile tears towards segment of society who bear the brunt of allowing FDI retail in India.
Also it is clear that DMK, BSP, SP n other CBI MP parties have no option but to support Congress govt. for their own survival.
yet another drama by DMK. this stand was only expected of them when they told initially that they would disclose their stand only in parliament.
with*bitterness* cases may be diluted
There is no truth in the assumption, that if the govt at the center falls, the 'communal' forces will come to power.
Surely, some day , people will know that the reason is not to keep 'communal' forces out of power.
The need of the hour is an independent CBI and Lokpal, so that corrupt can be kept out of power.
This is as expected... politicians are not afraid of public anymore... they change colors as per their wish. Babri masjid was demolished in 1992. DMK was part of BJP led alliance after that... they were part of the ministry too. Didn't he know that they were communal then? In fact he was part of BJP even during 2002 GuJ riots... Didn't he know that they were communal then? we know their true color and the reason behind this U turn... Real shame.
With bitterness or with the assurance that the govt will do everything
it can to undo the damage done to the party by A Raja's activities as
Telecom minister?
"Communal Forces" ?? Isn't this the same excuse given by Samajwadi Party ? Looks like bigger forces are playing a key role to bring in Retail , after all Obama won the elections saying that India has accepted FDI in retail at the same time also says outsourcing jobs to India will be decreased .
Still wonder who runs the govt, are we back on colonial/imperial rule ?
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