BY IANS,
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa Friday opposed the decision to allow 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and demanded its withdrawal while declaring that her state will not allow the measure.
DMK president M.Karunanidhi also said his party has opposed FDI in retail as it would result in competition for small traders.
In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa said: “I would like to register my unequivocal opposition to the decision of the central government to allow 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retailing and demand that the central government should withdraw its decision immediately. Further, my government will never allow FDI in retail trade in Tamil Nadu.”
Terming the central government’s decision as undemocratic, Jayalalithaa said it only shows the utter disregard for the sensitivity of the issue and panic in the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government.
“This decision is totally undemocratic and against the public interest,” she added.
She said the UPA government is always in the habit of diverting the attention of the people from the main issues by confusing them with such policies.
Karunanidhi, meanwhile, told reporters here that it was for the states to decide whether to implement the decision and one has to see what the Tamil Nadu government plans to do.