The Trinamool Congress, an ally of the UPA Government at the Centre has given 72 hours time to withdraw the decision to hike diesel prices and Union Cabinet's green signal on FDI in retail. The party's All India General Secretary and Railway Minister, Mukul Roy said in Kolkata that the Parliamentary Party of the Trinamool Congress will meet on Tuesday to discuss the next course of action on these issues.

While Chambers of Commerce and Industry have welcomed the government decision to bring in reforms, opposition parties have criticized the move.

Reacting to the decision, the captains of industry said these will accelerate economic growth in the country.

Opposition BJP has alleged that the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail has been taken under pressure from foreign elements. BJP Spokesperson, Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters in New Delhi that the decision will affect the livelihood of Indians in retail trade.

CPI Secretary, Gurudas Dasgupta said the decision will affect the jobs of millions of people.

The Tamilnadu Chief Minister Ms.Jayalalithaa expressed shock at the Centre’s decision to open up foreign direct investment in Multi Brand retailing and the aviation sector. In a press statement issued in Chennai, the Chief Minister called the decision as ‘Undemocratic and anti people’ and pointed out that the concerns expressed by the States and the other stake holders were not taken into consideration.

Ms.Jayalalithaa raised strong objections and registered her unequivocal opposition to allow 51 percent FDI in multi brand retailing and demanded that the Centre should withdraw its decision. Disagreeing totally on introducing FDI retailing, the Chief Minister stressed that her Government would never allow FDI in retail trade in the State.