New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) today (May 18, 2004) attacked Congress-led alliance and Left parties for choosing as Prime Minister a "fickle minded" person like Sonia Gandhi and committed itself to playing a "responsible and responsive role" inside and outside Parliament.

"They will have to answer how they decided (as Prime Minister) a fickle-minded person (chanchal swabhav), who has changed her views four times. How this country will be run if she becomes the Prime Minister?" NDA convener George Fernandes told reporters, emerging from a 75-minute meeting of the alliance at outgoing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence.

Message Board

Do you think film stars and cricketers can make any impact in the ensuing elections? Post your views

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

He was responding to a question on Sonia's decision not to be the Prime Minister.

Fernandes said the dilly-dallying on the part of the Congress chief foretold the "shape of things to come".

Asked whether NDA would boycott the swearing-in of the new Government in view of Sonia's unexpected announcement at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting, Fernandes said, "Her not becoming the Prime Minister has not been decided so far. But if she does not become, we have no quarrel."

He said if she had taken this decision earlier, there was no need for NDA to "go this far (of announcing boycott)".

Fernandes said even if Sonia does not become Prime Minister, the foreign origin issue would be important and "it is important for us to resolve that issue".