Rethink on FDI in retail unlikely - Grewal

Chandigarh , 7 March 2014 -
Days after Narendra Modi suggested that BJP might tilt in favour of FDI in retail, All India Secretary BJP Kisan Morcha Advocate, Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said a rethink on the issue was unlikely. BJP has steadfastly opposed FDI in retail. In a press statement here today Grewal said that as far as FDI in retail is concerned, the BJP has genuine concerns against this and I don't think, it is quite likely, that policy is going to be changed. He, however, did not dismiss the idea completely. As far as present is concerned, I think it is quite unlikely that the BJP will change, he said, noting that no policy was a policy for the next 100 years. Addressing a traders' conference in Delhi on Thursday, Modi had asked the trading community not to run away from global challenges but adapt itself to modern practices like tying up with bigger stores and online trading, without referring to FDI in retail. Grewal admitted that the BJP was consciously trying to woo the Muslim community ahead of elections and said the party will go full length to implement its three underlined convictions of security, equality and economic progress towards them. There is nothing wrong in it. It's a good sign for India. It's a good sign for BJP. It's a good sign for the minority community members. We and everybody has evolved, It's an appeal being made, he said and admitting that the BJP was making an effort to reach out to the community. Grewal said as far as Muslims were concerned, BJP was not a party that would go on the track of vote bank politics and have religion-based reservation for Muslims. On Pakistan, he said talks and terror could not co-exist and BJP's desire to talk would not outweigh the other surrounding circumstances. Grewal said that the attitude of BJP towards Pakistan if they came to power would be the same as it was during the NDA regime under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This whole passion and desire that you continue to have dialogue at the highest level irrespective of what the response of Pakistan is. If you have Pakistan's attitude which is not responsive, it is not necessary that the heads of government meet, he said. On the recent Navy accident, he attacked defence minister A K Antony for stopping procurements and turning the situation in the forces to a crisis level and promised to reverse it if BJP came to power in the country.