New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS): With the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government coming under stringent attack from both opposition and allies for the decision to allow 51 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, top leaders of the Congress party Monday discussed the issue here and are believed to have put their weight behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the matter.

The Congress's core committee led by party chief Sonia Gandhi and comprising Manmohan Singh also chalked out its strategy both at the political level during the all-party meet to be held Tuesday and within parliament, sources said here.

Gandhi had earlier in the day too met Singh to hold discussion on the matter, sources said.

Allies Trinamool Congress and DMK, both having 18 MPs in Lok Sabha each, are seen openly joining the opposition ranks in demanding withdrawal of the government decision.

However, the government is unlikely to roll back its decision on FDI in retain, sources said, but might accommodate concerns of the opposition and allies in the conditions imposed on the foreign investors so that the interests of the local retail store owners are not affected.