Decisive victory on FDI in retail in Rajya Sabha: Anand Sharma

NEW DELHI: Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today said government had achieved a "decisive victory" in Rajya Sabha on FDI in retail issue and alleged BJP is adopting "double standard" now as it had taken several executive decisions unilaterally when in power.

"This is an elected government. It has the mandate to rule. We had got a victory in the Lok Sabha and it was a decisive victory today in the Rajya Sabha," Sharma told reporters outside Parliament House after the voting on FDI.

He alleged the Opposition, especially BJP, is creating a fear psychosis in the minds of small traders and those sales boys and girls who are engaged in retail trade.

"BJP is adopting double standard and different yardsticks. They took several executive decisions in which no stakeholders or political parties, including the then main opposition, were ever consulted. NDA opened up the defence sector, allowed 100 per cent FDI in pharmaceuticals, opened telecom and airport sectors," Sharma said.

The minister maintained the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley had "insulted" young sales boys and girls from families which are financially weak as well as the 10-12 crore people involved in retail trade.

He alleged Jaitley gave wrong figures during the debate in the Rajya Sabha.

"My advice to the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha is that he should fire his resource team and hire a new one," Sharma said.