BJP to hold traders' protest against move to allow FDI in retail

NEW DELHI: Amid reports that the government is mulling over allowing FDI in retail, BJP today announced it will organize a protest demonstration by traders from across the country in the national capital on August 23 to oppose any such move.

National Convenor of Traders Cell, BJP, Shyam Bihari Mishra, told reporters that the day-long protest will be held at Jantar Mantar and around 10,000 traders from different parts of the country are expected to participate in it.

"Traders from the whole country are living in fear of FDI in retail. The Centre is making new laws under foreign pressure, especially of the US. An example of this is the Food Security Bill and the Goods and Services Tax," Mishra said.

After the protest demonstration, the traders and BJP leaders will march towards Parliament and lay of siege of the complex.

Senior BJP leaders, including party president Nitin Gadkari, L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Kiran Maheshwari and Vijay Goel among others will participate in the protests.

"The trader is not safe in the country. There are frequent loots and murders," Mishra said.

Traders from Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and several others states are expected to attend.