Kapil Sibal, a consummate lawyer with debating skills to match, ends his debate with this stinger that has little do with FDI. "We don't make our policies depending on whether we are sitting on this side in Parliament (treasury benches) or that side (opposition benches). When we sit here, we look beyond you, to the people outside Parliament who deserve a better life. Our policies are for a better India.

When you look at us you look at these seats and think, about the time when you will come here (treasury benches) and occupy these seats." Applause from the Congress benches.

Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav speaking now, opposing FDI. He says he is not in favour of FDI in retail. Observers say that -- in case of a retail FDI vote -- the government may get the support of sections such as the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, which aren't part of the ruling coalition but have previously supported the government in times of crisis.
Observers say that, even if they don't support the government, they could abstain from voting to ensure that the government wins.