New Delhi, Dec 4 (ANI): Charging the opposition of attempting to mislead the nation, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said the double standards of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail has been exposed.
Yadav said the BJP has no face to oppose FDI in retail.
"The BJP wanted FDI in 2002. How have you changed your stand? You supported 100 percent FDI in retail in 2004 and now Joshiji (Murli Manohar Joshi) says - videshi, videshi..." said Yadav.
"How much does your watch cost? I have no watch, I have no cell phone, they have them close to their hearts and when a phone call comes, you'd see them run a 100-metre dash," he added, while gesturing out to Joshi.
Yadav said the BJP leaders invoke Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi here
" He (Gandhi) rode in the 3rd class compartment in trains and BJP leaders want coupes reserved," he added.
The RJD chief said FDI in retail will eliminate middlemen, and added it is not against the farmers.
"100 percent farming of vegetables is being affected today-farmer will get money straight and middlemen will be done away with," he added.
Pointing out that there is no compulsion on states to implement FDI in retail in their states, Yadav said: "Sibal ji (Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal) was not able to say eloquently what he wanted to convey - the stores will not open in the middle of Delhi... they need lakhs of square feet..."
"The day we see it is against national interests, RJD will set all stores on fire... With FDI there will be investment in the country... and agricultural production will go up," he added.
Yadav also used the occasion to launch a direct attack on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
"Why is the BJP's PM candidate inviting foreign firms?" he asked.
Taking a jibe at Lal Krishna Advani, Yadav the BJP veteran now uses twitter.
"Nescafe peene walon, poocho Advani ji se twitter ka istemal kyun kartein hain, woh videshi nahi hain kya," he said. (ANI)