New Delhi: In a striking show of political unity, bitter rivals – the ruling Left Democratic Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front – unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre not to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free-trade agreement involving 16 nations in the Asia-Oceania region, in the Kerala assembly.On October 31, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan moved the resolution that said the RCEP will spell havoc on Indian industries and agriculture.Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala too opposed the Centre’s proposal to sign the agreement and said that it will badly affect small scale industries, resulting in massive job losses.Interestingly, lone BJP MLA O. Rajagopal, who was expected to oppose the resolution, remained absent.“If goods from partner countries flew into India without any restrictions, our agriculture sector and medium and small scale industries like poultry, dairy, fisheries will face huge challenges,” the resolution said.“It will also lead to huge unemployment and socio-economic crisis…. Rubber, coffee, tea and pepper and other spices will also face a lot of crisis due to free-trade deal and unrestricted import,” it added.Since countries like New Zealand and Australia are milk-producing countries, the dairy businesses in India will also take a severe hit, the resolution said.Ever since RCEP was proposed, multiple civil society organisations and trade bodies have opposed it. Given the fact that countries like China, New Zealand and Australia too will be signing the agreement, the Indian business community fears that it may not be able to match their competitive pricing of various goods. Countries like China, where manufacturing costs are relatively cheaper than India, will dump more goods because of the agreement.Also read: Only a Killing Instinct Could Compel India to Sign the RCEPHowever, the Kerala assembly resolution is the first political attempt to counter the Centre’s move on RCEP. The interesting part is the even the Congress and its allies, which have advocated free trade, are backing the Left in its opposition to the RCEP.Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac tweeted to say that the state government was ready to cooperate with all states which are willing to oppose what he called a “Himalayan blunder” by the Union government.India signing RCEP agreement can be compared only with Himalayan blunder of demonetisation. Despite relatively high tariffs on China, Korea, Australia and New Zealand current trade deficit with RCEP region is around $150 billions. With free trade import surge will be calamitous.— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) October 29, 2019India’s trade deficit with ASEAN has increased from $5 billion in 2011 to $ 22 b. in 2019 , prompting India to review ASEAN agreement. Then what is the logic of making it more comprehensive and expanding it to Pacific countries and China with whom we already have huge deficit?— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) October 28, 2019Kerala unites against RCEP. Unanimous resolution passed in the Assembly with lone BJP member absenting. Expresses willingness to cooperate with all like minded governments, organisations and citizens to oppose the anti national and ant people RCEP . SAY NO TO RCEP.— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) October 31, 2019Earlier, Kerala agriculture minister V.S. Sunil Kumar had called for a united movement against RCEP, which he felt would cripple India’s agriculture sector in the country.