BJP's trade union raises banner of revolt against NDA's FDI moves

NEW DELHI: The ruling BJP's trade union wing, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, has raised the most stringent objections to the Union Cabinet’s nod to foreign direct investment in defence and railways, a move on which the government may have been prepared to face opposition, albeit in Parliament from parties such as the Trinamool Congress. The union will hit the streets to protest the move, BMS’ general secretary Vrijesh Upadhyaya told ET.

"We are co-ordinating with all central trade unions on the matter and strenuously condemn the decision," Upadhyaya said. He alleged that allowing FDI in these sectors and indeed even insurance (for which the government is struggling with a bill in Parliament) is akin to introducing privatisation by the back door.

"We are fortunate that all trade unions are on the same page when it comes to these issues," he said. “This is akin to what we have been doing in Rajasthan on the question of these so-called labour reforms initiated by the state government," he added. The BMS had protested on July 25, with the transport union supporting the strike, he said, adding that the electricity and water supply unions were also on board and all trade union bodies would protest on the streets of Rajasthan.
Upadhyaya was dismissive of the idea that the BMS might go slow on a BJP-led government's initiatives. "Whichever government it is, our stand on all these issues is very clear and we will oppose it," he said.

When asked whether the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mothership of the Sangh Parivar, was on board with the BMS' stand, Upadhyaya said the question of RSS' support did not arise.

"The RSS has its own work and it does not interfere with our day-to-day concerns. We have a charter to which we adhere," he added.