UPA pushing country toward second phase of colonisation: BJP

PATNA: Slamming Congress-led UPA government for allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail, the BJP today said the measure amounted to pushing the country into the second phase of colonisation.

"The manner in which the Centre notified at midnight allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail would push the country into the second phase of colonisation," BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahanwaz Hussain said, while addressing party workers during protest march near Hartali More here.

He also alleged the decision was taken under pressure from USA and in brazen disrespect to public sentiments.

He said the UPA government's "anti-people" face has been exposed after it allowed FDI in retail at the risk of jeopardising livelihood of crores of retail traders. BJP will agitate on the alleged failure of the UPA government to deal with price rise and corruption, he said.

The state unit BJP chief C P Thakur also attacked the UPA government on the FDI issue and said foreign retailers have been given licence to loot the country.

Earlier, BJP leaders and workers took out a protest march from the party office to Hartali More and raised anti-UPA government slogans for allowing FDI in retail.