New Delhi: In what could be a good augury for the new Congress-led coalition at the Centre, incoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (May 20, 2004) hailed Left parties as "great patriots".

"Our friends in the Left have a different perception of past economic policies, but they are also great patriots and that patriotism and burning desire to make this century the Indian century is something I see common to all Indians," he told reporters in New Delhi.

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Asked about divergence in economic policies of the Left and the Congress, particularly on issues like disinvestment, Singh struck a philosophical note saying, "Life is never free of contradictions."

Taking from the coalition philosophy, he said, "I am confident that our Common Minimum Programme will provide a basis that unites us. I don't see any problems in working out a programme, which is forward looking, progressive and growth-oriented."

Emphasising that the mandate for strong, stable and secular Government would keep allies and Left parties "united", Singh said every one of them was waging a "relentless war" against "poverty, ignorance and disease".