New Delhi, Dec 6 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday questioned Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati for targetting Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj during the debate on FDI in the Rajya Sabha, and asked her to explain the reasons for changing the strategy on the issue within a short span of one day.
"The kind of language and the kind of expressions, which was used by BSP National President Mayawati ji against the Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj is deeply regrettable and condemnable. We welcome criticism, but there has to be a standard," said BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
He said the change in the BSP's stand on the issue of FDI in the retail sector is worst case of political opportunism and political hypocrisy.
"The BSP needs to explain today that how in one day's time, its entire strategy changed. Opposing FDI, walking out in Lok Sabha and neatly opposing FDI in Rajya Sabha and declaring to support the government. The party, which talks of the poor man, the poor, the marginalised, the 'mazdoor' and the small retailers, is today standing up with FDI of big giants. This is worst case of political opportunism and political hypocrisy. Why this sudden change in one day? Lok Sabha walk out and Rajya Sabha support," said Prasad.
"Obviously, what we have been apprehending, the FDI has to neatly submit inside the house before the might of the CBI. And that is what is happening. We all know that the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case in the Supreme Court is still pending in which notice has been given to Mayawati ji, the CBI is a party there. Therefore, the people of the country are watching it," he added.
Prasad, however, said 'the only positive outcome is that in both the houses the quality of debate and the quality of information has been outstanding'.
Mayawati lashed out at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj during the debate on FDI in the Rajya Sabha earlier today, and alleged that the latter was suffering from the 'sour grapes' syndrome.
Mayawati said the opposition party has very often accused her of being under pressure from CBI.
" This has become fashionable for the opposition. Since the BJP is a responsible party and they have hinted at us being under pressure from the CBI, we need to elucidate how the BJP abused the CBI when it was in power," she added.
Mayawati alleged that the BJP used the CBI to target her in the Taj Corridor scam.
Mayawati further said the BJP used the CBI to put pressure on the BSP to agree to a pre-poll alliance.
"We have never given in to communal forces. We have never been afraid of the CBI nor of the Congress and BJP Governments at the Centre," she said.
Mayawati, who had walked out of the Lok Sabha ahead of voting on the FDI issue yesterday, said that she would back the government on the issue in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.
She said that the BSP decided to back the government after taking into consideration the fact that FDI in retail will not be forced upon the states. (ANI)
