FDI vote: UPA would have won even without BSP vote in RS

With the government increasing its victory margin after a recount of votes in the Rajya Sabha on the FDI in retail issue, UPA managers on Friday claimed the Manmohan Singh regime would have won even if BSP had voted against it.

After the recount, the figures stood at 123 for the government, 102 in favour of the opposition while 19 members abstained. This gave the government a victory margin of 21 votes. BSP, with 15 members, voted for the government.

"The government has won by 21 votes. Even if BSP had not voted, we would have won by six votes. Moreover, Sachin Tendulkar and Murli Deora could not make it," one of the government managers said.

Congress sources tried to claim further credit saying even the seat that fell vacant due to the death of Vilasrao Deshmukh belonged to Congress.

UPA managers also claimed they ensured some abstentions to keep an adequate victory margin.

With 94 members, UPA is in a minority in the 244-member Rajya Sabha.

Immediately after the results came out in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath for the victory.

Deputy Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajiv Shukla claimed this outcome is an endorsement of the economic reforms being undertaken by the government.

Shukla had lodged a protest with the Rajya Sabha Secretary General and demanded a recount.