TNI Bureau: After the walkout of Samajwadi Party and open support of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the UPA government had no difficulties in winning the FDI battle in Rajya Sabha. They had already won the debate on FDI in Retail earlier.

Mayawati and Mulayam came to the rescue of the government in both Houses. In Lok Sabha, both SP and BSP had walked out, helping the government in getting 253 votes as against Opposition’s 218.

In Rajya Sabha, the government got 123 votes, while the BJP-led Opposition managed to get 102 votes. Had Mulayam and Maya who opposed the FDI in Retain in principle, had voted against the government, it would not have been carried out at all.