Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee briefly spoke about the FDI decision to CPP yesterday and told the MPs that Sharma would give a detailed briefing to them. The briefing by Sharma, whose ministry proposal was approved by the Cabinet last week, was expected today, but did not take place.
The briefing by these ministers to the party MPs assumes significance as voices of opposition to the decision have grown louder. At least three Congress MPs - Ramesh Chenithala, Sanjay Singh and Praveen Aron - have spoken against it publicly, while a number of others are also believed to be unhappy.
On the Opposition stalling Parliament on the issue, Sharma hit out at them, terming it as "obstructionist opportunist". He asserted that the Opposition could not dictate the government on executive policy decisions as also the language of the adjournment motion, under which discussion is demanded in Parliament.