DMK will support resolution against FDI in retail: Karuna

In a jolt to UPA government, DMK, the second largest constituent in the central coalition, today said it would back any opposition-sponsored resolution in Parliament against allowing FDI in multi-brand retail even as two MPs from Jharkand withdrew support.

DMK, which has 18 members in the Lok Sabha, today shed its ambivalence and came out in the open against the FDI in retail decision and asked the government to reconsider it. The party, which has been in a sulk after the forced exit of two of its ministers in the wake of corruption charges, has all along been saying saying that states opposed to FDI retail can choose not not to implement if they do not not want it.

However, party chief M Karunanidhi said the DMK would continue to support Congress to keep the communal forces at bay. He had made clear yesterday that the DMK would not nominate its Representatives to fill vacancies in the UPA government in case of a reshuffle. DMK's decision, taken at an emergency meeting of its Executive, came on a day Jharkand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik), announced withdrawal of its support of two MPs to the government at the Centre in protest against its "anti-people policies".

JVM(P), headed by former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, has two MPs in Lok Sabha including himself. After the withdrawal of the support of Trinamool Congress, the majority for UPA government has come down to 306, which includes key outside supporters--SP (22) and BSP (21).