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SP readies ammo against UPA govt
Opposing the move to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and targeting the UPA government's anti-farmer policies are among the strategies firmed up by the Samajwadi Party (SP) for the next month's monsoon session of Parliament. Srinand Jha reports.
Opposing the move to allow Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and targeting the UPA government's anti-farmer policies are among the strategies firmed up by the Samajwadi Party (SP) for the next month's monsoon session of Parliament.
On a day when the Planning Commission announced the highest-ever central plan assistance of Rs. 57, 800 crore for Uttar Pradesh, SP leader Naresh Agarwal struck a strident note, saying that "this was no charity".
"It would have been suicidal for the Congress to ignore Uttar Pradesh," he said.
For his part, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav told reporters that he was happy at the allocation, adding the funds would be used to bring about the socio-economic development of the state.
Anxious to rule out speculations about a 'quid-pro-quo' arrangement with the Congress, the SP leaders once again ruled out possibilities of participating in the UPA government, while also dismissing the talk concerning a pre-poll alliance with the Congress for the next general elections.
"Such talk is all hogwash," senior SP leader Mohan Singh said. At a meeting of its parliamentary party on Wednesday, the SP shortlisted issues on which party MPs would target the government in the coming monsoon session.
"Price rise, general downslide in the economy and the directionless foreign policy - all these issues will figure," party sources said. After the massive electoral win in the last assembly elections, the SP is working out to consolidate its gains in the 2014 general elections.
The party has deputed observers (to decide on party candidates) at 57 Lok Sabha constituencies, while those for the remaining 23 seats will be sent shortly, party sources said.
"The SP will go it alone and will contest all the seats including Rae Bareli and Amethi," Agarwal said.
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