Deepender Hooda takes on Sushma over FDI
ANI
New Delhi , December 05, 2012
First Published: 19:57 IST(5/12/2012)
Last Updated: 00:04 IST(6/12/2012)
Congress MP from Rohtak, Deepender Hooda, on Wednesday took on the opposition, and said the UPA government's move to allow FDI in retail would give the farmers of the country an alternative.
Hooda said that he understood very well the problems of the members of the farming
community.
"I know FDI will not solve all the problems of farmers, but it gives them an option. I am the son of a farmer, I understand their problems. Do not underestimate the farmer of India? They are not fools, they will sell to the person who gives them the best price," he added.
Hooda said the BJP was opposing FDI in retail because it was a UPA government's move, and launched a frontal attack on senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj over her claims that McDonald's bought its potatoes from outside.
"Even McDonalds was shocked at what Sushmaji said and came out with a press statement to say they buy most potatoes from India. We found out where McDonald's buys it's potatoes from - most come from Gujarat. That state has the most McDonald's stores But as soon as this potato comes out of the ground, BJP is quick to term it as American," he added.
Hooda further questioned Sushma Swaraj whether she he had exactly been to Ambala in the recent days.
"Sushmaji spoke of being from Ambala but I think she has not been to Ambala in quite some time. There are 'kirana' stores that co-exist with multi-brand retail chains... there are at least 15 stores run by Reliance, Easy Day, etc," he said.
The Congress MP pointed that it was left to the states to decide on FDI in retail, and added that this move strengthens the federal polity of this country.
Hooda charged the opposition of raising objection on every developmental move of the ruling Congress Party and cited the example of computers, Delhi Metro etc. to justify his statement.
"It may be remembered how the opposition members protested against the Bhakra Nangal dam, saying Congress will take away the electricity from the dam. Today, the same dam irrigates vast tracts both in Haryana and Punjab," Hooda said.
"The same applies to the computer technology, the Dunkel draft and now the FDI," he added.
He also asked the BJP to think on why the Congress-led Governments have ruled the country for almost 50 years in the last 60 years.
"Sushmaji said 50 of 60 years have seen Congress-led governments. I ask her to consider why the people keep voting for us... if you continue such opposition, in 2014 the people will vote for us once again," he said amid a thumping applause from the Congressmen, including UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.