Monday, February 14 2005 21:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress today (Feb 14, 2005) sought to play down Left parties' growing criticism of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government's economic policies saying it did not pose a threat to the ruling coalition at the Centre and assured it was fully committed to "coalition dharma."

"There is no threat to UPA Government. They (Left) have never said so. We are fully confident that this Government will complete its full five year term," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters when reminded about the Left parties' criticism.

Describing BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) criticism of UPA being a divided alliance as "mischievous and politically motivated," he said there was "a very strong bond at the national and political level among UPA allies when it came to National Common Minimum Programme and Congress party was totally committed it."

"It has inputs from the party's Vision Document which was prepared even before the electoral verdict...The very fact that there is a National Advisory Council headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is an ample proof of our sincerity in implementing various programmes including rural credit scheme for farmers, health, education cess and employment guarantee schemes," he said.

About the specific Left criticism that FDI cap hike was against assurances given by Congress to them, he said, "We all had agreed for that. If there are any area of differences, there is a mechanism to address this."

However, he was of the view that in coalition politics, all allies, whether part of the Government or supporting it from outside, are separate and they are bound to have different perceptions on various issues.