The all-party meet chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to discuss the deadlock in Parliament has been unable to find a solution with the Opposition relentless in its demand that the government roll back its decision to introduce 51 per cent foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.
The government bought some time with Leader of the House in Lok Sabha and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee telling the meeting that he would take the views of the Opposition to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet since the FDI decision was taken by the Cabinet.
“The Opposition parties agreed with this suggestion,” CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said after the meeting. It now remains to be seen what internal permutations the Cabinet arrives at to find a mutually acceptable formula on the FDI issue.
After the meeting, Mukherjee said he would also talk to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to decide how best to resolve the impasse in Parliament.
Mukherjee said Opposition leaders have suggested a rollback of the decision and a discussion in Parliament on the issue under an adjournment motion.
“I informed them (Opposition leaders) that I will talk to the leadership -- Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi. You will come to know the government's decision,” he told reporters here.
Referring to his meeting with them earlier in the day, Mukherjee said, “They have given various suggestions. One of their suggestion is you roll back... another suggestion has come that this should be discussed under an adjournment motion.”
Meanwhile, Parliament was on the boil for the sixth consecutive working day on Tuesday with the Opposition determined to scuttle all business till a decision was reached on FDI. After an initial adjournment till noon, both Houses were later called off for the day.
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