Sunday, May 22 2005 18:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress today (May 22, 2005) said the Left parties were playing "a very constructive" role and helping the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government in coming to grips with the grassroot realities.

Responding to questions on the refusal of the Left parties to attend today's function to mark one year of UPA rule, party leader and Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chauhan said "we must appreciate the role of the Left. They are playing the role of a very constructive supporting party and, I think, they have a point of view".

"I don't think the World Bank, IMF have all the solutions. I think the grassroot realities are different and the Left is helping us to come to grips with the grassroot realities," he said.

"We must realise that the people of the country have voted the maximum number of Left MPs in this Parliament which speaks about what NDA (National Democratic Alliance) did. NDA's entire campaign was a pro-elite, pro-rich which has been rejected by the people," Chouhan said.

He said the fact that such a large number of Left MPs have been elected "speaks about the mind of the people and the voters and we have to factor that".