The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Fernandes calls for mass movement

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 24, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fernandes calls for mass movement

Special Correspondent

Against FDI in retail sector

George Fernandes

CHENNAI: Calling for a mass movement against foreign direct investment in the retail sector, the former Defence Minister and National Democratic Alliance convenor, George Fernandes, said the policy would throw lakhs of small traders out of job.

Addressing journalists here on Saturday, Mr. Fernandes said unless the Government gave up the policy, India would go thorough a bloodbath as faced by Latin American countries over a decade ago.

Small traders, farmers and entrepreneurs would agitate against the policy, which he said, would create a "desperate situation."

Asked about India's military training to Sri Lankan defence personnel, Mr. Fernandes said if he had the requisite power, the decision would have been different.

Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that Tamils in Sri Lanka would not suffer, he said, "Dr. Singh is a man of his words. I want to believe what he said."

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