Unions at Jaguar and Land Rover are backing Tata Motors’ offer for the brands, which are being sold by Ford Motor, according to published reports.

The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal reported that workers at both brands have decided to support Tata’s bid over rival offers from Indian group Mahindra & Mahindra and private equity firm One Equity Partners.

The unions prefer to remain part of Ford, but believe Tata would be best suited to manage the luxury brands should a sale go through, the reports said.

Union support could give Tata a boost in winning the politically sensitive deal, the newspapers said.