Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today said that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj's statement towards the end of her debate on FDI in multi-brand retail has exposed the BJP's floor strategy on this discussion.

"I think that became very clear towards the end of the leader of opposition's debate. When she conceded that the entire intent of seeking a 184 was to try and persuade the government and not defeat the government. So, if the intent was to persuade then why a 184, the persuasion could have been done under 193 also," said Tewari.

"I think the contradiction inherent in the leader of opposition''s statement towards the end of her long diatribe really exposed the BJP and what their floor strategy on this debate is," he added, when asked whether there was any substance in the allegations levelled by the BJP for McDonald's has refuted Swaraj's claims that they import potatoes. 

Swaraj, who initiated the debate on FDI in retail in the Lok Sabha yesterday, said the Congress-led UPA Government''s claim that foreign investment would benefit farmers, consumers and generate employment was a myth. The BJP leader said the government''s argument that FDI in retail will benefit farmers is flawed.

"Big retail chains have failed in several countries. Retail FDI will wipe out the options available to consumers. The retail in control of big firms will wipe out the small consumers FDI will not benefit farmers," she added.

"Ask McDonald's about their fries. They never buy potatoes from local Indian farmers, saying the potatoes are too small here," she said, while citing the instances of how potato farmers are forced to throw their potatoes away while McDonald's imports the potatoes it uses.