"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 Shulka 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.
