The Bahujan Samaj Party’s decision to support the Government on the issue of FDI in multi-brand retail in Rajya Sabha has opened up another avenue for the Government to take its reforms agenda forward.
Banking on the BSP’s support, the Congress plans to introduce the pending reform Bills in both the Houses of Parliament.
What empowers the Congress is that both the BSP and the Samajwadi Party are unable to side with the “communal” BJP on any issue, including opposing reforms.
“Enemy’s enemy is a friend,” a top Congress leader said, interpreting the situation. He said the BSP has shown its willingness to support the “plus points” of FDI in retail. “We are sure that we will be able to convince her (BSP leader Mayawati) about the pending reform Bills,” the leader claimed. The Government can manage a majority in both the Houses if the SP walks out in the event of a voting. For the record, the Congress sought the support of all parties to lift the economy. Information Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said flexibility and pragmatism matter on the reform process. “Any step that helps to lift the economy should be welcomed,” he said.
The BSP, which walked out of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday on the same issue, extended its support to the Government in the Rajya Sabha. Mayawati said freedom to not accept the Centre’s policy is a plus point. She added that her party will vote in favour of the Government on Friday if the concerns of the opponents to FDI in retail are addressed.