Uma Bharti, the firebrand leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), denounced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday (November 29), saying he had 'murdered democracy' by allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country's retail sector.
The reform would allow global chains like Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Carrefour to own up to 51 percent of retail ventures.
Bharti said Singh had been pressurised into making the decision by pro-American and pro-rich bureaucrats.
"The Prime Minister has murdered democracy by allowing Wal-Mart to come in because his allies don't approve the decision. The group of ministers, constituted on the issue, doesn't favour it. He has taken a decision under the pressure of bureaucrats who are pro-American and pro-rich," Bharti told reporters in Varanasi city of northern Uttar Pradesh.
Bharti went on to liken Wal-Mart to Kalanemi, a demon in Hindu mythology, and urged the people of India to destroy the global supermarket giant.
"More people will lose their employment than people getting jobs. Brokers of Wal-Mart are spreading misinformation that it will create job opportunities. I want to caution the countrymen that they shouldn't fall prey to such propaganda. We will have to destroy Wal-Mart the same way Lord Hanuman destroyed Kalanemi (demon), who was deceptive and a crook and at last Lord Hanuman killed him. Wal-Mart is Kalnemi for us and we will destroy it," said Bharti.
Singh has failed to break an impasse on the issue, with opposition parties and his own political allies demanding a rollback on the reform.
The deadlock means Singh's Congress party-led coalition faces further opposition disruption of parliament, which has been adjourned for six days already.
The controversy comes at a bad time for Congress, worried the issue could become a lightning rod for criticism of the government before state elections due next year.
The issue feeds into some deep-seated nationalism of Indian politicians, as well as fears of massive job losses among the millions of small shopkeepers.
Intro
Uma Bharti, leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleges Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has 'murdered democracy' by allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country's retail sector.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL
VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (NOVEMBER 29, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. UMA BHARTI, LEADER OF BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP), ARRIVING TO BRIEF MEDIA
2. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) UMA BHARTI, LEADER OF BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP), SAYING:
"The Prime Minister has murdered democracy by allowing Wal-Mart to come in because his allies don't approve the decision. The group of ministers, constituted on the issue, doesn't favour it. He has taken a decision under the pressure of bureaucrats who are pro-American and pro-rich."
3. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) UMA BHARTI, LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP), SAYING:
"More people will lose their employment than people getting jobs. Brokers of Wal-Mart are spreading misinformation that it will create job opportunities. I want to caution the countrymen that they shouldn't fall prey to such propaganda. We will have to destroy Wal-Mart the same way Lord Hanuman destroyed Kalanemi (demon), who was deceptive and a crook and at last Lord Hanuman killed him. Wal-Mart is Kalnemi for us and we will destroy it."
4. BHARTI LEAVING IN A VEHICLE
very good story
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