FDI in India retail: Parliament paralysed for 8th day, government-opposition standoff continues

NEW DELHI: Parliament was paralysed for the eighth straight day today as the face-off continued between the government and the Opposition, which was joined by UPA constituents Trinamool Congress and DMK, over the controversial decision to allow FDI in retail.

Despite the government reaching out to it, Opposition remained adamant on its demand for scrapping of the decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent in single-brand retail and pressed for a discussion in the House under an Adjournment Motion.

Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha witnessed unruly scenes with slogan-shouting Opposition members trooping into the Well, many of them carrying placards against FDI decision and other issues like a separate Telangana and safety of the Mullaperiyar dam.

Lok Sabha saw members from Left and Trinamool Congress in the Well along with their BJP counterparts, raising slogans against the government decision on FDI. DMK members were also on their feet, protesting against the FDI decision and demanding discussion on it.

Members from Kerala entered the Well demanding that the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam be maintained at 120 ft keeping in mind safety of the 116-year-old structure.

Trouble started soon after Speaker Meira Kumar made obituary reference in the Lok Sabha to former member Harish Kumar Gangawar (Congress) and read out a message on World AIDS Day.