West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says, the Centre has decided to put on hold the controversial decision on FDI in retail sector. She said this in Kolkatta today after she had spoken to Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on phone twice on the issue. Mamta Banerjee said the Finance Minster told her that the FDI decision has been suspended until a consensus is evolved. Trinamool Congress has strongly opposed to the decision and the issue has led to staelemate in Parliament.

Shortly after Mamata Banerjee's statement Pranab Mukherjee said any Government decision will only be announced only in Parliament. He said he cannot announce anything because Parliament is in session.

Congress said , it welcomes all meaningful steps to break the stalemate over FDI in retail. Party AICC general secretary Janardhana Dwivedi said in New Delhi a broad consensus is required among different stakeholders in such a situation.

CPI has urged the government to come out categorically whether it intends to put on hold its decision on fdi in retail. CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said that the formal announcement has to be made by the Prime Minister or a Minister of the government on the issue.

BJP asked Government to come out with a formal announcement on the reports of putting the FDI issue on hold. Party spokesperson Ravi Shanker Prassad said it will not react to comments on the issue by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.