Congress Bats For FDI in Retail; Downplays Mamata's Opposition

New Delhi: Congress today batted for FDI in retail downplaying Mamata's Banerjee remarks disapproving the measure and said that a number of chief ministers across party lines would not be making a pitch for it had it not been in the interest of the country.

"I do not think there is really any need to go into the specifics of objections, which a particular political party may or may not have raised. But on the broader question on whether FDI in retail is in India's interest, I think the balance of convenience really lies in favour of FDI," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

"Otherwise a large number of chief ministers across party lines would not be measuring up and really making a pitch for it," he reasoned.

Tewari's remarks came a day after Banerjee asserted Saturday that she remained firmly opposed to allowing FDI in multi-brand retail.

Earlier, chief economic advisor Kaushik Basu had said in Kolkata that Banerjee would realise that reforms will be a win-win situation for the people of West Bengal if the idea of FDI in retail was properly explained to her.

"Mamata Banerjee is intelligent, but retail FDI argument is very complex. If it is explained to her, then she will understand it is a win-win situation for the people of Bengal," Basu had told an interactive session at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce in West Bengal capital on Saturday.

Apparently reacting to Basu's comments, the chief minister said: "I do things which I decide... We do not want entry of multi-brand FDI in retail. We will not accept and this is our government's policy".

Multi-brand FDI in retail in India was stalled after the Trinamool, UPA's key partner, along with some opposition parties opposed the move.