DMK non-committal on Centre clearing deck for FDI in retail

Key UPA ally DMK Friday remained

non-committal on the Centre's decision to allow 51 per cent

FDI in multi-brand retail, with party chief M Karunanidhi

putting the ball in the state government's court over its

implementation. "We opposed it earlier as it could pose big competition to

local retailers and those dependent on them. But now the

Centre has given state governments the option of implementing

it. So it is not mandatory for state governments to implement

it. Let us see what they do," he told reporters. Asked about the latest stand of his party which had

opposed FDI earlier, he said, "that is what I said. It

(implementation) is an option with the states. We have to see

what our state (government) does.