Motion against FDI in retail: Government in touch with parties for support

NEW DELHI: Against the backdrop of BSP and SP keeping their cards close to their chest on voting in Lok Sabha on a motion against FDI, government on Wednesday said it was in touch with various parties for their support.

"We are in touch with all (parties). We have requested them to support us. FDI will not hurt the interests of farmers or small traders. In fact it will help them," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla told reporters outside Parliament House.

His remarks come hours before Lok Sabha is to take up voting on a motion moved by opposition parties against government's decision allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail.

While both SP and BSP had opposed FDI yesterday during a debate on the issue, they had not made it clear whether they will support the motion.

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj had asked the two parties to support the motion, saying their fears that the government could fall were unfounded.