UPA Govt wins FDI vote in Lok Sabha; SP, BSP abstain

New Delhi, 05 Dec 2012 (Agencies): The ruling UPA government comfortably defeated the opposition-sponsored motion against FDI in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

 

Out of 471 members present and voting 218 voted against FDI and 253 in favour.

 

The outcome was decisively influenced by SP and BSP members who staged a walk out before the vote.

 

Government has neglected the interest of farmers and small traders by deciding on FDI in multi-brand retail, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh alleged today after his party MPs staged a walkout of the Lok Sabha ahead of the voting on the motion.

 

"We walked out because the government has neglected the interest of farmers and small traders," SP chief Mulayam Singh told reporters.

 

Asked why SP lawmakers walked out instead of voting against the motion, he said "this was the party’s decision. The party has decided to stage walk out rejecting the move."

 

When it was pointed out that SP’s decision has helped the government, he said "whatever the party has decided we do that exactly."

 

Expressing concern over the fate of farmers and small traders after FDI in retail, Yadav said the "interest of five crore small traders and 20 crore farmers and their families were sacrificed by the government’s decision. That is why we have walked out."