Oppn to corner govt on economy, FDI and Assam

The BJP and the Left will bring a litany of issues, including the economic crisis, FDI, Assam riots, collapse of three national power grids and the prevailing drought situation in the country when the monsoon session of Parliament gets under way from August 8.

The BJP and the Left will bring a litany of issues, including the economic crisis, FDI, Assam riots, collapse of three national power grids and the prevailing drought situation in the country when the monsoon session of Parliament gets under way from August 8.

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Their leaders gave an indication to this effect at an all-party meeting called by Speaker Meira Kumar on Monday.

"There is a severe economic crisis in the country and fall in ratings, devaluation of the rupee vis-a-vis dollar. Problems caused by all this should be discussed. We want a debate on all the issues," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said.

She said the party also wanted a clarification on the government's intentions on FDI retail and the national water policy.

"On FDI in retail, it appears as if the government has given a silent nod though the then Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee had given an assurance that till a consensus was build among all stake-holders, the government would not move ahead. But the indications coming from the government show they have made up their mind," Swaraj said.

The Left parties said they too were keen on a debate on the economy and were opposed to FDI. CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said, "Our first priority in this session is the economic crisis which the government is camouflaging." UPA ally TMC too warned the government against going ahead with "anti-people policies" like FDI in retail and the pensions' bill.

At Monday’s meeting, home minister Sushilkumar Shinde had his first official interaction with the Opposition. When the Speaker introduced Shinde as the leader of the House, Swaraj said his "perpetual smile" was disarming. Shinde thanked Swaraj and said the Opposition should let his smile remain for next two years of the government.