Tuesday, May 10 2005 22:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Onboard PM's Special Aircraft: Attacking the BJP-led NDA for "thinking" it is still in power, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (May 10, 2005) said he was "truly disappointed" with its continuing Parliament boycott despite his repeated appeals.

On his way back from Moscow, Singh, whose coalition Government completes one year in office later this month, also said alliance politics posed "constraints" and suggested evolving a "common minimum factor".

Asked whether he was disappointed at the attitude of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance), he said, "You are putting it too mildly. I am truly disappointed that the Opposition despite the appeals that I made to them and despite our efforts to discuss all outstanding issues on the floor of the House, has chosen to stay away."

Replying to a reporter's question, he said the NDA is thinking that "it is still in power. They have still not reconciled to the fact that they are out of power."

"I have repeatedly said that all issues we are willing to discuss on the floor of both Houses, whether it is tainted ministers or any other," Singh said adding, "We are quite willing to allow the democratic process to work".

The Prime Minister said, "Coalition politics does (pose) constraints. We have to evolve a common minimum factor and therefore it is quite possible that in the process, some of the views that I and my colleagues want to push, they are not able to push but politics is the art of the possible."

He said people of India have voted for this coalition and they want "all our political parties and the Left to work together".

Therefore, he said, "We are working in a sincere manner to give a sense of direction to our coalition and I am glad to say that it had a fair amount of success in that direction."