Thursday, February 23 2006 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Faced with strident criticism from Left allies on foreign policy issues, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Feb 23 2006) declared that Government will keep the nation's interest uppermost in mind and asked political parties to respect the tradition of national consensus on it.

"While the instruments of our policy and the tactics and strategy we adopt may change with time, the values in which they are embedded are universal and will remain true for all time", Singh said winding up the debate on the President's address in the Lok Sabha.

His 30-minute speech was marred by incessant slogan shouting by agitated opposition members who stormed the well of the House demanding his resignation over a report which claimed that the PMO had asked CBI to explain why no action was taken against the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Dismissing opposition charge of dual power centres in the Government, the Prime Minister hit back at the BJP observing "may be they think other parties functions like theirs, allowing shadowy organisations to interfere in the work of elected governments. That has not been the culture of the Congress party."

Singh said that every now and then a question is raised about Prime Ministerial authority "as if we live in some totalitarian system, in some fascist state, where authority has to be visibly asserted to command compliance. That may be the culture and outlook of those who keep raising the issue of authority."

The motion of thanks to the President's address, which was passed by a voice vote in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, secured the Lok Sabha's approval amid opposition din.

National consensus on Foreign policy

Contending that by and large there was a national consensus on foreign policy orientation, the Prime Minister said "I sincerely urge all political parties to respect this tradition so that the hands of the Government are strengthened in dealing with the world."

He assured the House that in pursuing foreign policy, ensuring national security and promoting economic development, "our government will always have the nation's interest uppermost in the mind."

Seeking to put a lid on the controversy on the Bihar Assembly dissolution issue, the Prime Minister said "after the judgment of the Supreme Court, the Governor decided to tender his resignation out of his own volition. In any case, the subsequent elections to the Bihar Assembly and the formation of a stable government have made the debate infructuous", he said.

Noting that the apex court did not arrive at a unanimous verdict in the case, he said that therefore it is obvious that in this 'complicated' case, there could be an "honest difference of opinion."

This, he said, "has to be kept in view in arriving at a conclusion about the conduct of the Governor or the Union Cabinet."

The Prime Minister sought to assuage the Left parties, agitating against allowing FDI in retail, saying "we will not act in haste in this matter."

So far only FDI by single brand chains has been allowed; he said adding that the larger issue of FDI in any form of retail would be examined in all its dimensions including its effect on livelihoods and "discuss this widely before taking any decision. There is no hurry on this."