India's plans to sell company stakes draw threats of strikes

New Delhi

INDIA'S plans to sell the government's stake in several poorly performing companies have prompted trade union threats of a nation-wide strike, laying out a test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the lead up to crucial state elections.

With thousands of jobs potentially at risk, the government's decision to offload a number of companies to the private sector has drawn criticism from opposition parties and warnings from economists over the potential fallout.