Against the backdrop of BSP and SP keeping their cards close to their chest on voting in Lok Sabha on a motion against Foreign Direct Investment, government on Wednesday said it was in touch with various parties for their support.

"We are in touch with all (parties). We have requested them to support us. FDI will not hurt the interests of farmers or small traders. In fact it will help them," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shulka told reporters outside Parliament House.

His remarks come hours before Lok Sabha (Lower House) is to take up voting on a motion moved by opposition parties against government's decision allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail.

While both Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party had opposed FDI on Tuesday during a debate on the issue, they had not made it clear whether they will support the motion.

Bhartiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj had asked the two parties to support the motion, saying their fears that the government could fall were unfounded.