Cong dares Oppn to bring no-confidence,says allies with it

“Whenever there is a division in the House,our allies are always with us,” Alvi said.

Alvi also faced a volley of questions on whether the Congress had included the issue of allowing FDI in retail sector in its manifesto ahead of the 2009 elections.

The Congress spokesperson blamed the opposition for stalling the smooth functioning of Parliament and charged it with “creating hurdles” in the way of the government in implementing its policies.

“The government has to implement its policies and manifesto. The opposition has the right to put forth its views. It can criticise our policies,but it is unfortunate that it is creating hurdles in the way of government in implementing its policies,” he said.

He said the public makes the decision on which party or parties will form the government and run the nation in the democracy.

He also said the BJP had included the issue of 26 per cent FDI in the retail in its manifesto ahead of the 2004 elections.

BJP insists on FDI roll back,says govt is in a minority on it

BJP today remained adamant on its demand for roll back of FDI in retail sector and said the government was in a minority on the issue even as it charged it with being responsible for the logjam in Parliament in order to avoid a debate on the issue.

“This government doesn’t enjoy the support of the majority in the House on the issue of FDI in retail. Due to this worry,they are deliberately not allowing Parliament to function. It is in a minority and that is why it is avoiding a debate,” party spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Hussain said,”BJP is seeking a rollback of FDI in retail decision and a discussion on price rise issue. But the government has no interest in running Parliament….”

BJP leaders held a series of meetings to chalk out the strategy on the issue. L K Advani and other BJP leaders met before the start of Parliament and decided that the government should either roll back the FDI in retail decision or else it will move an adjournment motion on the issue.

It was also decided at the meeting that party leader Murli Manohar Joshi would move the adjournment motion in Lok Sabha as there was no sign of the government withdrawing the FDI move.

Advani and Sushma Swaraj,Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha,said the government has not reached out to them on the issue of running parliament smoothly. “We have not heard from anyone. We have no information,” the two leaders said.

Swaraj also said the differences between Congress party and government on allowing FDI in multi-brand retail and dared UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi,General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders to make their views public on the matter.