Congress flays move to put FDI in retail to parliamentary vote

NEW DELHI: As Parliament today began discussing FDI in retail under a rule entailing voting, Congress did not hide its displeasure over the "unhealthy precedent" that an executive decision has been put up for legislative vote.

"In principle, the issue has set an unhealthy precedent of putting an executive decision to vote by Parliament. There was nothing illegal or unconstitutional in the decision to bring FDI in multi-brand retail and the government agreed to discus the issue under 184 only to ensure smooth running of Parliament" party spokesperson P C Chacko told reporters here.

The party spokesperson also expressed confidence that the motion to disucss the issue under a rule that entails voting will see the Opposition's contention being rejected in both Houses.

"UPA is confident the motion will be rejected in both Houses. We are confident that both Houses will reject the resolution on FDI. We are hopeful this will also eventually discourage use of Parliament for political brinkmanship," Chacko said.

Slamming the Opposition for "not taking a principled stand on FDI" and being "hell bent to embarass the government at any cost", Chacko rued that when the government agreed to a vote on FDI, the Opposition demanded the same for FEMA notification.

When the government agreeed to put to vote both together, the same parties insisted for separate voting for each, he added.