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NT Bureau
Chennai, Mar 23:
 

VEGETABLE SELLERS COOK UP A STRIKE: The no-show at the Koyambedu vegetable market today. Photo: M Srinivasan

        In an effort to pressurise the government to stop the entry of corporates and multinational companies into retail trade, the Protection Forum of Koyambedu Commercial Complex Trade Aassociations observed a one-day token fast in Chennai today and all shops in the sprawling wholesale market at Koyambedu were closed.

        Interestingly, the hunger strike was inaugurated by PMK MP, AK Murthy. Senior leader and Presidium chairman of the AIADMK, E Madhusudanan congratulated the traders in their efforts to stall the entry of big companies and State general secretary of CITU, A Soundararajan made a special adddress.

        'In the coordination committee meet of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) we have told the Congress that there should not be foreign direct investment in retail trade. If the Centre chooses to go ahead despite our caution, the responsibility of saving the government is theirs,' Soundararajan said while speaking to traders.

        Besides representatives of political parties, office bearers of several trade associations and a large number of workers and small businessmen participated.