Assuring support to the traders opposing the Congress-led Government's decision to allow FDI in retail, leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said on Thursday that his party would oppose the move till its “last breath”.
“This FDI (foreign direct investment) is not in favour of consumers, farmers, traders, manufacturers and the country. That’s why we are opposing it and will continue to oppose it till our last breath,” Jaitley said as he addressed a rally held at Ramlila Ground in the Capital by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
“We stand united with the traders and the people of this country," he added.
The BJP leader argued that under FDI, 60-70 per cent of the business will go into the hands of just two or three companies which will be harmful for the farmers.
“The farmers would be left with no choice but to sell their produce to them. When the number of sellers decreases, how will it benefit the farmersIJ" asked Jaitley.
Other senior leaders who attended the rally were BJP chief Rajnath Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader AB Bardhan aong others. Several markets in the capital remained closed as traders down shutters in protest. According to Narender Madan, Delhi unit president markets like Kamla Nagar, Chawri Bazar, Kashmere Gate, Tilak Nagar remained closed Thursday. However, there was little impact on the daily business.