The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government expressed its confidence about meeting the challenge, but it was clear it faces an uphill task persuading its allies on the issue as some of them opposed the decision in the past. The DMK, the second-largest constituent in the ruling UPA with 18 members in the Lok Sabha, has been scrupulously silent on the FDI till now.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has opposed FDI in multi-brand retail but has cited "political compulsions" to keep giving support to the UPA government.