The leaders accused the government of compromising national security interests and self-reliance, through proposed changes to the foreign direct investment policy, diluting the defence offsets requirements including dispensing with the condition of transfer of technology in acquisition of weapons and equipment for the armed forces and through privatisation of 41 ordnance factories. They demanded reversal of these steps.
Many think this joint move, besides flagging an important political tussle with the ruling establishment, also indicates the change seekers’ resolve to expand their canvas and position themselves as the Congress’ inhouse policy watchdog and ginger group which, it is learnt, will be making more such interventions in their capacity as senior opposition parliamentarians.
“These decisions compromise national security interests and will have long term implications for India’s defence preparedness and in becoming a selfreliant nation.
These decisions are also in conflict with the government’s ‘Make in India’ campaign and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission’,” said the joint statement by leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, deputy leader Anand Sharma and MPs Vivek Tankha, Kapil Sibal, Manish Tewari and Shashi Tharoor.
Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com
