Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday met the government's allies to discuss the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, as parliament was stalled yet again on the issue

In a tight spot over the FDI decision as key allies, including DMK, Trinamool Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have spoken against it, he met partners in the Congress-led ruling United Progressive Alliance to try to iron out differences.