Mamata quotes Pranab in FDI reform row

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today brought President Pranab Mukherjee into the ongoing FDI controversy, stating that the government has deviated from its stand taken in December 2011, when Mukherjee was finance minister.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Thursday brought President Pranab Mukherjee into the ongoing FDI controversy, stating that the government has deviated from its stand taken in December 2011, when Mukherjee was finance minister.

Banerjee posted on her Facebook page, a statement given by the former finance minister on 7th December, 2011 in Lok Sabha regarding the decision to permit FDI in retail.

"For the knowledge of general public and common people, I am posting the statement given by the Ex-Union Finance Minister... Now tell us who has deviated from this statement of the Central Government?," she asked.

The statement supposedly made by Pranab Mukherjee is as follows:

THE MINISTER OF FINANCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE): Madam Speaker, with your permission, I would just like to make a small statement.

Madam Speaker, the decision to permit 51 per cent FDI in multi brand retail trade is suspended till a consensus is developed through consultation amongst various stakeholders. I convened a meeting of Leaders of all political parties this morning. Earlier also, I had a meeting with them to discuss on how to resolve this impasse due to which Parliament was not functioning properly.

I am glad that all the Leaders have agreed to this formulation but they wanted to have some clarifications. I am seeking your permission to provide that clarification that stakeholders include the Chief Ministers of the State Governments and political parties because without the involvement of the State Chief Ministers, this can never be implemented.

Therefore, the Government will take a decision after a consensus is developed through the process of consultations amongst all stakeholders.
With these words, most respectfully, I would like to submit that the House may transact normal business as only ten days are left before the Winter Session comes to an end. Thank you, Madam Speaker.