New Delhi: After calling for a nation-wide strike, leaders of eight opposition parties came together at Jantar Mantar in Delhi today to slam the government over the hike in diesel prices and the introduction of Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in retail. "The government is lying when it says FDI will create more jobs. It will affect the farmers and the aam admi," BJP President Nitin Gadkari said.
Mr Gadkari was joined by Left leader Sitaram Yechury and Sharad Yadav, the chief of Janata Dal (United), which is an ally of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance or NDA in New Delhi.
"We will fight this (FDI in retail). We will not let this be implemented," Mr Yechury said today.
Mr Gadkari was joined by Left leader Sitaram Yechury and Sharad Yadav, the chief of Janata Dal (United), which is an ally of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance or NDA in New Delhi.
"We will fight this (FDI in retail). We will not let this be implemented," Mr Yechury said today.
The reforms introduced by the Prime Minister last week have provoked a political crisis with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee yanking her party, the Trinamool Congress, from the ruling coalition. Opposition parties ranging from the Left to the right have called a strike today to demand a reversal of the diesel prices and the retail reforms -the government has indicated neither is possible.
But with Ms Banerjee parachuting out of the UPA, the government is now in a minority and dependent on regional powerhouses Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati to remain in power. Both leaders do not participate in the government but provide external support. Mayawati has helped the government by deciding to skip the bandh in Uttar Pradesh - not least because the strike there has been called by her political rival, Mr Yadav, whose young son Akhilesh replaced her as chief minister earlier this year.
Today's strike is being supported by bus and truck drivers across the city against the Rs. 5 or 12% hike in diesel prices
But with Ms Banerjee parachuting out of the UPA, the government is now in a minority and dependent on regional powerhouses Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati to remain in power. Both leaders do not participate in the government but provide external support. Mayawati has helped the government by deciding to skip the bandh in Uttar Pradesh - not least because the strike there has been called by her political rival, Mr Yadav, whose young son Akhilesh replaced her as chief minister earlier this year.
Today's strike is being supported by bus and truck drivers across the city against the Rs. 5 or 12% hike in diesel prices
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