SP walks out, but helps UPA

Alleging that the government has ignored the interest of farmers and small traders by deciding on FDI in multi-brand retail, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav led his party on Wednesday to stage a walkout in Lok Sabha ahead of voting in the House. “We walked out because the government has neglected the interest of farmers and small traders,” Mr Yadav told reporters outside Parliament. Asked why Samajwadi Party legislators walked out instead of voting against the motion, the SP chief said, “This was the party’s decision. The party has decided to stage a walkout rejecting the move.” When it was pointed out that the Samajwadi Party’s decision has helped the government, Mr Yadav said, “Whatever the party has decided we did that exactly.” Expressing concern over the fate of farmers and small traders after FDI in retail, Mr 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.”