Biman takes a dig at Mamata over FDI issue

Kolkata, May 9 (IANS) Left Front chairman Biman Bose Wednesday took a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for reportedly discussing the issue of FDI in retail with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"What I have come to know from newspaper reports is that a statement from US Consulate has said that there has been a discussion on FDI in retail. Then surely there has been a discussion. It's no use hiding it," said Bose while addressing reporters here.

Sparking off a controversy, the US Monday claimed that the issue of increasing US investment in West Bengal, including in the retail sector, was touched upon by visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The statement came hours after Banerjee categorically told media persons that the issue of FDI in retail did not figure in her deliberations with Clinton.

Earlier, the Left had registered their opposition over the speculations that Hillary will discuss the FDI issue with Mamata.

"Touching on issues, ranging from increasing US investment in West Bengal, including the retail sector, US-India relations, regional affairs and strong people-to-people connections, the secretary reaffirmed to the chief minister the US desire to work with India and West Bengal to deepen and broaden our partnership," the statement released by the US consulate here said.

Contradicting the US version, the West Bengal government Monday night itself claimed that Clinton had not referred to FDI in retail during her meeting with Banerjee.