After Sushma Swaraj managed to make Congress concede to her demands of a debate on FDI with a rule 184 imposed, implying that their would be a vote that follows the heated discussion, Congress were left in a fix with not enough support for the votes.

Strategists for the party have already understood that the Rajya Sabha votes would be the decider while the Congress-led UPA has to have a few tricks up its sleeve to supercede the Opposition, Left and BJP.

Ten of the nominated MPs are expected to vote in its favor while cricketing God, Sachin Tendulkar's seat would be closely monitored by the party. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they would like him to skip the Eden Gardens match for the benefit of the team and the FDI vote. Every vote counts for Congress-led UPA coalition now.

However, the major problem is that for the motion of FDI in retail to be approved they have to cross the 111 mark which has been proving quite hard to achieve for the ruling coalition with the present support that it has even with the nominated MPs.

The inside support from UPA with 90 MPs, and the outside support that is guaranteed will count for 31 more. On the other hand, BSP (all 15 MPs) and 9 MPs from SP have announced that they would refrain from voting, which brings us to a total of 97 in favor.

Considering that all the 10 nominated MPs provide support and Pyarimohan Mohapatra, th BJD rebel, the numbers move up to 108. With SP and BSP not taking part in the votes, the half way mark is 111, disturbingly more than the votes that the UPA can garner.

What tricks does UPA have up its sleeve to make FDI in retail happen?

(AW- Anil)