3 US entities lobbied on tax plan

Now it is clear that lobbying is  widely practiced in America. But the government of India succumbing to the pressure of lobbyists on a sensitive issue of national importance such as FDI in retail trade is a matter of grave concern. The general opinion among political leaders, experts and others is that the UPA government took an unusually strange and adamant stand on allowing FDI in multi-brand retail trade. It refused to heed to unprecedented public sentiment and opposition from almost all political parties, baring the Congress Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal and Rashtriya Janatha Dal, entire trading community, farmers’ bodies, experts and the public in general. Reports suggest that the UPA government became susceptible to powerful lobbying engaged by Walmart and other multinational retail giants to pressurise the Indian government to allow FDI in retail trade. It seems that through constant lobbying, they were able to persuade their home countries, especially the American government to exert pressure on the Indian government.  Further, it is also reported they had also influenced American based rating agencies to plant news warning possible downgrading of India to negative rating unless India embarked on second generation reforms, including FDI in retail trade.   Now it has also come to light (as per the lobbying disclosure reports filed by Walmart with the US Senate) that Walmart has spent about $25 million (around Rs. 125 crore) since 2008 for its various lobbying activities, especially for allowing FDI in mutli-brand retail trade India. Moreover, it is suspected that in addition to the amount disclosed as expenditure towards lobbying, Walmart has reportedly spent huge amount as kick off payments to Indians. The revelation about spending huge amount by Walmart for lobbying to persuade the government of India to allow FDI in   retail trade in India  has caused utter consternation among a cross section of the people of the country. And bowing to opposition pressure, the government on 12.12.2012 announced a time-bound inquiry by a retired judge into reports of lobbying by retail giant Walmart to gain entry into India.  But many believe that announcement that a retired judge would hold inquiry will be of no use. They feel that the inquiry should be conducted by a Special Investigating Team (SIT) under supervision of the Supreme Court or at least by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court. So, for the judicial inquiry, terms of reference should be broad based, otherwise it will be very easy to skip off and get clean chit to this giant company. Where is the guarantee that Walmart will not indulge in high voltage lobbying to get clean chit?

Th Times of India, December17, 2012.

Probe against Walmart

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Dr.C.Murukadas (Chennai)
14 Dec, 2012 01:13 AM
Walmart has been relentlessly lobbying to pressurise the Indian Government . Reports show that it has spent huge amount (as per the lobbying disclosure reports filed by Walmart with the US Senate) since 2008 for allowing FDI in mutli-brand retail trade India. The issue raised by Ravishankar Prasad, BJP national spokesperson, in the Rajya Sabha during the zero hour on Monday, 10th December, 2012 has drawn the attention of various political parties and consternation among the people of the country. And BJP, CPM, CPI, SP, JD (U), Trinamool Congress, AGP and AIADMK used the issue to question the government over its decision to allow 51% FDI in retail. The opposition parties alleged that Walmart had indulged in corruption to enter Indian market. So they have pressed for a probe into this "illegality" and the wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make a statement on this issue. So, Walmart was pretty sure that it will be possible to pressurise the Indian government to allow FDI in multi-brand retail trade. The Public Interest Litigation filed in the Madras High Court by T. Vellaiyan, President, Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders' Association, has brought to light that Walmart has fraudulently entered into multi-brand retail trading even before the government notified FDI in mutli-brand retail trade. That is, in March and April 2012 year, Wal Mart Stores Inc, USA through its subsidiary, in collusion with two Indian firms, illegally invested Rs 455.80 crore in multi -brand retail in India by masquerading it as for “Services Sector.” Moreover, in his complaint submitted to the Prime Minister's Office the CPI Rajya Sabha member M.P. Achuthan alleged that Walmart had invested about R456-crore in a company called Cedar Support Services through compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs) in March 2010. Moreover, it is feared that once they get a foothold in any part of the country, Walmart and other multinational retail giants will somehow be able to penetrate throughout the country and bring peril to the livelihood of the small traders. They have the wherewithal and knacks to fine tune the greedy politicians and bureaucrats. Once they are allowed to enter the country, they will not respect the Indian rules and regulations. Experiences show that the multinational corporations like Walmart generally rarely respect the rules and regulations of the host countries, particularly the developing countries. It is reported that Walmart has been making preparations in various cities of the county to stage a grand entry into retail trade once India gives permission. The announcement that a retired judge would hold the inquiry into reports on lobbying by international supermarket chain Walmart to open the way for foreign equity in retail trade in India is not the end. It will be of no use. The inquiry should be conducted by a Special Investigation Team under the supervision of Supreme Court or by a serving Supreme Court judge.
Dr.C.Murukadas, The Times of India, Dec.14, 2012.

Opposition demand probe against Wlmart lobbying

The issue regarding FDI in multi-brand retail trade has been blistering since the UPA announced this on 24th November, 2011. All political parties baring the Congress Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal and the Rashtriya Janatha Dal have expressed their concern against the policy. The issue hot up during the current winter session of Parliament and almost for a week there was dead lock in both houses of Parliament the FDI issue. All the opposition parties insisted upon discussion with voting on the issue of allowing FDI in multi-brand retail trade in both the Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). But the government was against any such discussion with voting because of its lack of confidence to muster enough support in the voting due to the fact that DMK, the main constituent of UPA, was vociferously opposing FDI in multi-brand retail trade. Mr. Karunanidhi had always been saying that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail. In fact, the executive council of the DMK party passed a resolution stating that it will not support the government on FDI in retail trade. Moreover, both BSP and SP, which are providing support to UPA government from outside, were also vehemently opposing FDI in multi-brand retail-trade and had been saying that they will not support the government on the issue of FDI in retail trade. Despite best efforts to express their disagreement, the government stood firm to allow FDI in multi-brand retail trade. They forced UPA to discuss this issue in both house of parliament with voting rights. Entire nation has been witness as to how majority of politicians had their own doubts against FDI and its adverse effects. Together with the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP supremo Mrs. Mayawati and the SP supremo Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Congress party and the UPA government have enacted the most foul scenes of inducement, appeasement, cajoling and bullying. And the nation stood aghast when it was found that these political parties how suddenly changed their profile and to support Govt by voting or abstaining. This upside down changed can only happen if Congress has done something very strong in return. CPI (M) Politburo Member Sitaram Yechury slammed the UPA government for the "€œhanky-panky"deals to secure a majority against the motion on FDI in retail. He said: “Something extra has happened" threat, intimidation, a bribe or a promise of doing something." Now is disturbing to know (as per the lobbying disclosure reports filed by Walmart with the US Senate) that Walmart has spent about $25 million (around Rs. 125 crore) since 2008 for its various lobbying activities, especially for allowing FDI in mutli-brand retail trade India. What a shame?
The Times of India, Dec.11, 2012

Political storm in India over Walmart lobbying

It is disturbing to know (as per the lobbying disclosure reports filed by Walmart with the US Senate) that it has spent about $25 million (around Rs. 125 crore) since 2008 for its various lobbying activities, especially for allowing FDI in mutli-brand retail trade India. The issue raised by Ravishankar Prasad, BJP national spokesperson, in the Rajya Sabha during the zero hour on Monday, 10th December, 2012 has drawn the attention of various political parties and consternation among the people of the country. And BJP, CPM, CPI, SP, JD (U), Trinamool Congress, AGP and AIADMK used the issue to question the government over its decision to allow 51% FDI in retail. The opposition parties alleged that Walmart had indulged in corruption to enter Indian market. So they have pressed for a probe into this "illegality" and the wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make a statement on this issue. Moreover, it is feared that once they get a foothold in any part of the country, Walmart and other multinational retail giants will somehow be able to penetrate throughout the country and bring peril to the livelihood of the small traders. They have the wherewithal and knacks to fine tune the greedy politicians and bureaucrats. Once they are allowed to enter the country, they will not respect the Indian rules and regulations. Experiences show that the multinational corporations like Walmart generally rarely respect the rules and regulations of the host countries, particularly the developing countries. The Public Interest Litigation filed in the Madras High Court by T. Vellaiyan, President, Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders' Association, has brought to light that Walmart has fraudulently entered into multi-brand retail trading even before the government notified FDI in mutli-brand retail trade. That is, in March and April 2012 year, Waimart Stores Inc, USA through its subsidiary, in collusion with two Indian firms, illegally invested Rs 455.80 crore in multi -brand retail in India by masquerading it as for “Services Sector.” Moreover, in his complaint submitted to the Prime Minister's Office the CPI Rajya Sabha member M.P. Achuthan alleged that Walmart had invested about R456-crore in a company called Cedar Support Services through compulsorily convertible debentures (CCDs) in March 2010. It is reported that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has forward to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for proper inquiry.The Times of India, Dem 10, 2012

In allowing FDI in retail trade, India is sold in the hands of US & Europeans

''In allowing FDI in retail trade, India is sold in the hands of US & Europeans, paving the way for economic colonialism. Empirical studies have shown that consumer prices in supermarkets in Latin America, Africa and Asia have remained higher than the open market by 20 to 30 per cent after the entry of Walmart and other multinational retail giants. The Indian retail market is estimated to be around $400 billion with more than 12 million retailers employing 40 million people. Ironically, Walmart’s turnover is also around $420 billion, but it employs only 2.1 million people all over the world. Recently New York Times exposed showed how Walmart had captured nearly 50 per cent of Mexico’s retail market in 10 years. As per the NYT disclosure “the Mexican subsidiary of Walmart, which opened 431 stores in 2011, had paid bribes & an internal inquiry into the matter has been suppressed at corporate headquarters in Arkansas.” As per a disclosure statement made in the U.S Walmart alone has spent US$ 260 million in two years to lobby for FDI in retail trade in India. Therefore, all right thinking Indians should fight for the scrapping of the decision to allow 51% FDI in retail trade. India is only country in the world which thinks that the foreigner is better for us than a local. For a country that has experienced colonial rule, this is bizarre. No doubt, FDI in retail trade will eventually lead to economic colonialism. Therefore, we have to fight to emancipate our country form falling into colonial control under the multinational corporations of America and the Western countries. Indeed our fight against FDI in retail is akin to second freedom struggle. All of us should be prepared to sacrifice to attain the goal of scrapping the notification on FDI. Now coming to realities, actually, Dr.Manmohan Singh and the so called votaries of FDI in mutli-brand retail trade know very well that “FDI in retail trade will not serve any purpose. It will do more harm than benefit the people.” In fact, in 2002, as leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Dr.Singh fought tooth and nail against the introduction of FDI in retail. His colleague Mr. Priya Ranjan Munshi castigating the BJP, which was in power then and who tried to bring FDI in retail, said “it is anti-national to bring FDI in retail.” Now, Dr. Singh says that FDI in retail is pro- national and is to be welcomed, irrespective of merits or demerits. What is cause for the somersault by Dr.Singh and the Congress party? Is it not true that they have fallen prey to the powerful lobbying by Walmart and other multinational retail giants and the pressure exerted by their home governments? Does it not mean that erroneous factors and extraneous considerations have played foremost roles?
The Times of India, Dec.10,2012

Prime Minister is spreading false stories about benefits accruing to the farmers

The Prime Minister is spreading false stories about benefits accruing to the farmers in terms of better prices for their products owing to the introduction of FDI in multi-brand retail.The stated purpose of liberalising FDI in retail is that it will attract investments for modernising India’s supply-chain infrastructure, especially for the agricultural sector, in turn, providing better returns to farmers and small agro-processing units through enhanced direct sourcing as well as curbing inflation by reducing wastage. The argument is that the giant foreign retail chains will squeeze out the middlemen thereby providing higher prices to farmers and at the same time provide large investments for the development of post-harvest and cold chain infrastructure. Today, in the West, corporate retailers control the entire supply chain of food and farmers have no alternative but to sell to select corporate retail giants. This has led to monopoly conditions, where there is just one or few buyers, farmers have no choice but to sell their produce at the price offered by them. The general practice is that in order to maximise the gain, corporations will contract with farmers and push them for single crop cultivation, using genetically modified seeds with extensive use of pesticides and chemicals which will destroy the fertility of land. It is already happening in India and will only intensify as retailers seek to enter directly in the agriculture sector. All these claims of showering of benefits to farmers are fallacious and the big retails have not helped farmers anywhere in the world. Even in Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia, where supermarkets, most of them owned by multinational giants, now control 65 to 95 per cent of sales, many farmers have been forced to quit agriculture.Evidences show that farmers in the West have paid a big price, with hundreds of thousands forced to abandon their farms, due to corporatisation of the farming sector, along with corporate control of the purchasing side among processors and retailers. Therefore, there is no point in giving this stake (i.e. multi-brand retail trading) to the foreign retailers, albeit to cater inflation. India might receive some foreign direct investments; but this will make the situation even worse by displacing the farmers leading to increase in rural unemployment and poverty. Given the already over-crowded agriculture sector, and the stagnating manufacturing sector, and the hard nature and relatively low wages of jobs in both, many million Indians are virtually forced into the services sector, particularly in retail trade.( Excerpts from the book authored by this commentator entitled, “FDI in Retail Trade in India: a Retrograde Step” by M/s RAC Publications, No. 38 (Old No. 76-A) Choolaimedu, Chennai-60094.''
The Times of India, Dec.10, 2012.

Demand for referendum on FDI in retail

Arvind Kejriwal's demand for referendum on FDI in retail is entirely correct. The government has won the game of defeating the motion for withdrawal of FDI in retail trade moved by the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj. But it is not a matter of gratification or joy, but an indication of degradation morality and lack of clean politics, Together with the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP Chief Mrs. Mayawati and the SP Chief Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Congress party and the UPA government have enacted the most foul scenes of dinner diplomacy, inducement, cajoling and bullying, besides arm twisting and blackmailing of the above regional political parties . Politics in this country has fallen deep into decay and lip service, double speak, blustering, time serving, ditching, switching sides, finding scapegoats have become the order of the day, which shows the state of Indian Politics. But it is gratifying to note that all the political parties except the Congress Party and headed by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Nationalist Congress Party headed by Mr.Sharath Pawar is opposed to the move to allow the multinational retail giants to set up retail shops in the country. Of course all these three leaders (the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP supremo Mrs. Mayawati and the SP supremo Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav) are time servers and dishonest persons. Therefore, the people of the country never expected that they will stand firmly on their policy of opposing FDI in multi-brand retail trade. But many believed that at least on this anti-people and anti-national issue, they may stick to their stand. Mr. Karunanidhi has always been saying that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail trade. In fact executive council of the DMK party passed a resolution stating that it will not support the government on FDI in retail trade. And participating in the discussion on the motion against FDI in the Lok Sabha on 04.12.2012 the DMK MP, Mr. Ilangovan, stated that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail trade because it would affect the livelihood of millions of traders. But in a manner characteristic of his party leader, he stated that DMK will not vote against the government. What an absurd stand? SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav stated categorically and emphatically that FDI in retail is not in favour of the country. He also said that the retail in FDI would not create jobs in the country and therefore his party was totally opposed to the move of the government to allow multinational retail giants to open shops in India. Yet he said his party will not go with all the arguments made by the opposition. What a comical stand? BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said that FDI in mutli-brand retail is not good for the country.But BSP abstained from voting thereby paving the way for the victory of the government. What a ludicrous position? People should bend their head down for voting such parties into power.The Times of India, Dec10,2012

FDI vote in Parliament: After Lok Sabha win, govt confident of numbers in Rajya Sabha

FDI vote in Parliament: After Lok Sabha win, govt confident of numbers in Rajya Sabha

It is true that the government has won the game of defeating the motion for withdrawal of FDI in retail trade moved by the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj. But it is not a matter of gratification or joy, but an indication of degradation morality and lack of clean politics, Together with the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP supremo Mrs. Mayawati and the SP supremo Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Congress party and the UPA government have enacted the most foul scenes of dinner diplomacy, inducement, cajoling and bullying, besides arm twisting and blackmailing of   the above regional political parties by using CBI. Politics in this country has fallen deep into  decay and lip service, double speak, blustering, time serving, ditching, switching sides, finding scapegoats have become the order of the day, which shows the  state of Indian Politics.  But it is gratifying to note that all the political parties except the Congress Party and headed by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Nationalist Congress Party headed by Mr.Sharath Pawar is opposed to the move to allow the multinational retail giants to set up retail shops in the country. Of course all these three leaders (the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP supremo Mrs. Mayawati and the SP supremo Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav) are time servers and dishonest persons. Therefore, the people of the country never expected that they will stand firmly on their policy of opposing FDI in multi-brand retail trade.  But many believed that at least on this anti-people and anti-national issue, they may stick to their stand. Mr. Karunanidhi has always been saying that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail trade. In fact executive council of the DMK party passed a resolution stating that it will not support the government on FDI in retail trade. And participating in the discussion on the motion against FDI in the Lok Sabha on 04.12.2012 the DMK MP, Mr. Ilangovan, stated that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail trade because it would affect the livelihood of millions of traders. But in a manner characteristic of his party leader, he stated that DMK will not vote against the government. What an absurd stand? SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav stated categorically and emphatically that FDI in retail is not in favour of the country. He also said that the retail in FDI would not create jobs in the country and therefore his party was totally opposed to the move of the government to allow multinational retail giants to open shops in India. Yet he said his party will not go with all the arguments made by the opposition. What a comical stand? BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said: “Poor people are anxious over the impact this policy can have on their lives. They fear the multi-national companies will take away their livelihoods. The government should not rush with it."  But BSP abstained from voting thereby paving the way for the victory of the government. What a ludicrous position? People should bend their head down for voting such parties into power.

In allowing FDI in retail trade, India is sold in the hands of US & Europeans, paving the way for economic colonialism. Empirical studies have shown that consumer prices in supermarkets in Latin America, Africa and Asia have remained higher than the open market by 20 to 30 per cent after the entry of Walmart and other multinational retail giants.  The Indian retail market is estimated to be around $400 billion with more than 12 million retailers employing 40 million people. Ironically, Wal-Mart’s turnover is also around $420 billion, but it employs only 2.1 million people all over the world.  Recently New York Times exposed showed how Wal-Mart had captured nearly 50 per cent of Mexico’s retail market in 10 years. As per the NYT disclosure “the Mexican subsidiary of Wal-Mart, which opened 431 stores in 2011, had paid bribes & an internal enquiry into the matter has been suppressed at corporate headquarters in Arkansas.” As per a disclosure statement made in the U.S Walmart alone has spent US$ 260 million in two years to lobby for FDI in retail trade in India.  Therefore, all right thinking Indians should fight for the scrapping of the decision to allow 51% FDI in retail trade. India is only country in the world which thinks that the foreigner is better for us than a local. For a country that has experienced colonial rule, this is bizarre. No doubt, FDI in retail trade will eventually lead to economic colonialism. Therefore, we have to fight to emancipate our country form falling into colonial control under the multinational corporations of America and the Western countries. Indeed our fight against FDI in retail is akin to second freedom    struggle. All of us should be prepared to sacrifice to attain the goal of scrapping the notification on FDI.

Now coming to realities, actually, Dr.Manmohan Singh and the so called votaries of FDI in mutli-brand retail trade   know very well that “FDI in retail trade will not serve any purpose. It will do more harm than benefit the people.” In fact, in 2002, as leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Dr.Singh fought tooth and nail against the introduction of FDI in retail. His colleague Mr. Priya Ranjan Munshi castigating the BJP, which was in power then and who tried to bring FDI in retail, said “it is anti-national to bring FDI in retail.”  Now, Dr. Singh says that FDI in retail is pro- national and is to be welcomed, irrespective of merits or demerits. What is cause for the somersault by Dr.Singh and the Congress party? Is it not true that they have fallen prey to the powerful lobbying by Walmart and other multinational retail giants and the pressure exerted by their home governments? Does it not mean that erroneous factors and extraneous considerations have played foremost roles?

The government’s propaganda that FDI in multi-brand retail will bring benefit to farmers and consumers is   nothing but deceptive misinformation, which is not supported by facts. The argument that FDI in retail trade will lead to generation of employment opportunities is fallacious and not supported by historical evidences. On the contrary crores of people who earn their livelihood from the millions of existing retail outlets may be put out of business by the retail biggies. Most ridiculous contention of the government is that it be possible to bring down inflation by allowing FDI in retail trade.  There is scarcely any evidence to show that foreign investment, especially FDI, has acted as an enabling factor for controlling inflationary pressure anywhere in the world. On the contrary, there are ample proofs of foreign investment causing inflationary spiraling of prices in the host countries. The government has not explained how and in   what manner FDI in retail trade will lead to fall in prices; and how long the fall in prices, if any, will be sustained. Is there any guarantee that prices will be stabilised and thereby the real income of the people will increase on a long-term basis? Moreover, many recent research studies have shown that FDI in retail trade will be disastrous for the country. A most recent study by this commentator, the results which have been published in the form of a book entitled, “FDI in Retail Trade in India: a Retrograde Step” by M/s RAC Publications, No. 38 (Old No. 76-A) Choolaimedu, Chennai-60094, concludes as follows: “  Evidences from various parts of the world indicate that   widespread   emergence of big format retail super stores have lead to extensive  ruin of  retail stores/shops thereby resulting in the loss  of employment and livelihood to millions of persons involved in retail trade. Research findings have exposed that large scale unemployment has proved to be social dynamite. That is, increase in unemployment leads to a series of social problems, like rise in poverty, alcoholism, domestic violence, indebtedness, suicides and crime in general, leading to a chaotic situation in the society. In sum, the inescapable conclusion is that any disruption of the prevailing system of retail trading will affect all sections of Indian society.  FDI in retail trade will not serve any purpose. It will do more harm than benefit the people, especially to the unorganised/informal retail sector, which is a vital source of occupation and livelihood for the multitude unemployed people of the country, besides being the cushion for those who are displaced from their occupations/employment for various reasons.”

Thus, the vote on the motion to withdraw FDI in muti-brand retail trade has proved beyond doubt that the country is passing through a serious moral crisis. The dishonest and corrupt politicians will stoop to   any level to safeguard themselves. They do lip service that they are for the welfare of the people. Who will save our country from further decay? How are we going to achieve clean and honest politics? Time alone will tell!  My only request is that let these so called champions of the downtrodden people ponder over for a while before deciding to vote for or against the motion to   withdraw FDI in retail trade in the Rajya Sabha.

Dr.C.Murukadas, Hindustan Times, Dec.6, 2012

FDI vote in Lok Sabha

It is not a great achievement that the Manmohan Singh government has won the vote on Foreign Direct Investment or FDI in multi-brand retail in Lok Sabha. Discussion on the motion to withdraw Govt decision to allow 51% FDI in multi-brand retail trade & motions on FEMA moved by the opposition leader, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj,  revealed that all the political parties except the Congress Party and headed by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Nationalist Congress Party headed by Mr.Sharath Bhawar are opposed to the move. But the Congress party succeeded in bullying the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP supremo Mrs. Mayawati and the SP supremo Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav to toe its lines. The government and the Congress party have applied unorthodox, dishonest and illegal means to subject the above three leaders to toe their lines either by voting against the resolution or forcing them to boycott the voting on flimsy and unconvincing reasons. It seems that they were bullied, threatened, induced and offered gratification. The Prime Minister seems to have used his magic band of assuring to safeguard them from charges of corruption and amassment of wealth fraudulently and cajoled them at the dinner meetings with the leaders of these parties. Otherwise, how is it that all these parties which spoke vehemently against FDI in retail trade made a somersault and directly and indirectly enabled the government to scrap through the motion against FDI in the Lok Sabha. The above said regional parties, in collision with the Congress party, have made a mockery of Indian democracy and degraded the purity of public life. While the Congress party has involved in the shameful act of backdoor and illegal means to get their support, the leaders of these parities shamelessly succumbed to bullying and cajoling. It is implicit that the government and the Congress party skillfully applied the carrot and stick policy to make these parties to toe their line!

Of course all these three leaders (the DMK President M.Karunanidhi, the BSP supremo Mrs. Mayawati and the SP supremo Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav) are time servers and dishonest persons. Therefore, the people of the country never expected that they will stand firmly on their policy of opposing FDI in multi-brand retail trade.  But many believed that at least on this anti-people and antinational issue, they may stick to their stand. Mr. Karunanidhi has always been saying that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail trade. In fact executive council of the DMK party passed a resolution stating that it will not support the government on FDI in retail trade. And participating in the discussion on the motion against FDI in the Lok Sabha on 04.12.2012 the DMK MP, Mr. Ilangovan, stated that his party was totally against FDI in multi-brand retail trade because it would affect the livelihood of millions of traders. But in a manner characteristic of his party leader, he stated that DMK will not vote against the government. What an absurd stand? SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav stated categorically and emphatically that FDI in retail is not in favour of the country. He also said that the retail in FDI would not create jobs in the country and therefore his party was totally opposed to the move of the government to allow multinational retail giants to open shops in India. Yet he said his party will not go with all the arguments made by the opposition. What a comical stand? BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan said: “Poor people are anxious over the impact this policy can have on their lives. They fear the multi-national companies will take away their livelihoods. The government should not rush with it."  But BSP abstained from voting thereby paving the way for the victory of the government. What a ludicrous position? So the vote on the motion to withdraw FDI in muti-brand retail trade has proved beyond doubt that the country is passing through a serious moral crisis. The dishonest and corrupt politicians will sloop to   any level to safeguard themselves. They do lip service that they are for the welfare of the people. Who will save our country from further decay? How are we going to achieve clean and honest politics? Time alone will tell!  My only request is that let these so called champions of the downtrodden people ponder over for a while before deciding to vote for or against the motion to   withdraw FDI in retail trade in the Rajya Sabha.

Dr.C.Murukadas, Times of India, 05.12.2012