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