UPA shouldn't consider FDI vote win a big victory: D Raja

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government won the vote on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail in the Lok Sabha today. While there were 218 votes against the FDI, there were 253 votes in the favour of the government's move.

In an interview to CNBC-TV18, D Raja, leader, CPI says UPA should not consider FDI vote win a big victory. "This is a huge moral defeat for the government." Below is the edited transcript of his interview on CNBC-TV18. Q: How has it panned out for the government? The SP and BSP speak against FDI inside the house yet they leave the battlefield just before the vote. A: They should have stuck to their position. They spoke against FDI and accordingly they should have voted. Finally, they chose to walk out. They speak one thing and do other thing. That is how people will understand them. But as far as the vote is concerned, I think it was not a big victory for the government. For more, watch the accompanying video.