New Delhi: In a veiled attack on Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Dec 6, 2003) said in Abuja (Nigeria) he was not averse to criticism by her but it should be done in a restrained language.

"In a Democratic set-up, Opposition is part of the Government and the Leader of Opposition is paid salary to oppose the Government. Do it, but I would emphasise that this should be done in a restrained language," said Vajpayee without naming anyone while laying the foundation of a new building of the Indian High Commission.

Talking about the just-concluded Assembly polls in four States, three of which went in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vajpayee said some people were taken by surprise by the results.

In a Democracy, elections are held and "Government comes and goes", Vajpayee said recalling that he was in the Opposition for 50 years.

PTI