With the BJP and the Left parties sticking to their demand for a discussion on FDI in retail under a rule that entails voting, former UPA ally Trinamool Congress on Wednesday said it would take a stand only after Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar took a decision, but ruled out voting in favour of the government.
“We shall take a stand only after the Speaker takes a decision and communicates it. Our party will then take a stand. The Trinamool has to oppose FDI. We cannot vote in favour of the government under any circumstances,” senior Trinamool leader and former Union Minister Saugata Roy, told PTI in New Delhi.
Without elaborating further, Mr. Roy, Trinamool Lok Sabha member, said the Parliament logjam should end and that the House should transact its business.
He criticised the Congress-led coalition and said his party withdrew support to the government in the wake of hike in diesel prices, cap on LPG cylinders and the decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail.
“We wanted to table a no-confidence motion against the government. We are unhappy that it did not get support (from BJP, Left and other parties),” he said.
Former Railway Minister Mukul Roy on Wednesday spoke of the need for a fresh move to bring a no-confidence motion against the government.
“This government has become a minority. It should go and there should be fresh election. Towards that end, a fresh attempt to bring no-confidence motion can be made if the parties, opposed to FDI and other anti-people decisions, come forward,” Mr. Roy said at Raiganj in West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district
“Whether there should be a discussion in Parliament on FDI under Rule 184 or Rule 193 is not a big thing. What is required is to remove this government which can be done if a no-confidence motion is brought against it,” Mr. Roy, a close aide of Mamata Banerjee, said.
