Tuesday, May 31 2005 10:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (May 30, 2005) said Sonia Gandhi had an "important role" to play as Congress president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson but this in no way interfered with his Government's working.

Singh was asked at an interactive session with foreign correspondents on his view about sharing power with Sonia.

"We have been in office for a year. It is common knowledge that Sonia Gandhi is president of the Congress party and the Chairperson of the UPA. So, she has an important role," he said.

"But that doesn't in any way interfere with the working of my Government," he said going on to add, "When it comes to the functioning of the Government, there is no interference of any kind."

The Prime Minister said he meets Sonia as also other UPA allies to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).