Insurance FDI: To twist the knife, BJP backs Left

The BJP’s rollback is being seen as more political than economic.

While in power, it had got Congress support for the Insurance Regulation and Development Bill to be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

But now the party sees this as a unique opportunity to put the Left in the dock—the Left has already opposed it—and appear to widen the faultlines within the UPA.

Said a senior BJP leader: ‘‘We want to see whether the Left votes for its principles or the UPA Government.’’

The BJP also wants to put the UPA under pressure with the possibility that the NDA, Left and SP, accounting for some 300 MPs, vote against the proposal.

When reminded that the Congress had bailed out the NDA Government on the same issue, the BJP leader said, ‘‘Getting the budget passed is the Government’s responsibility, not ours.’’

Several NDA allies, like Janata Dal (United) and the Shiv Sena, are opposed to hikes in FDI caps.

They are inclined to oppose the IRDA Amendment Bill when it comes up for voting.

The BJP obviously wishes to avoid sending any signal of a division in NDA ranks, particularly when it comes to Shiv Sena and JD(U), which are critical to BJP in election-bound states of Maharashtra and Bihar.

The BJP also needs full support from the Sangh Parivar to sustain itself while in Opposition.

Given the tough line pursued by RSS, the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh against any hike in FDI caps, the BJP finds it expedient to go with them.

Even today, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav alleged that the UPA Government’s proposal to hike FDI in three sectors‘‘is not in the national interest.’’ And asked the Government to roll back the proposal.