New Delhi: Welcoming the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), former Prime Minister V P Singh today (May 28, 2004) said it was precisely what was needed and precisely what the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) missed and asked National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP), to reconsider their ties with the saffron party. "While on the one side the CMP is putting fullest emphasis on investment and reforms, on the other it is solidly committed to welfare of sections of society such as farmers, labourers and unemployed youth which was missed by the previous Government," Singh said.

Taking a dig at BJP for its earlier remarks that Congress did not have any allies, Singh, who played a key role in the formation of secular coalition at the Centre, said not a single NDA ally has come forward supporting BJP.

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While NTC is criticising BJP for Gujarat riots, there are talks of TDP rethinking its alliance with BJP, he said.

"As a friend, I will suggest TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu to keep his options open. He has enough time to reconsider his alliance with BJP as neither there are Parliamentary or Assembly elections in near future. He should take a decision after deep thinking," Singh said, adding due to health and political activities he could not go and meet Naidu but was in touch with him through phone.

Stating BJP would be committing a "big mistake" if it goes back to its Hindutva agenda, Singh said, "What will happen to their vision document which talked about harmony between Muslims and Hindu? Was it only for poll purpose?"