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`A document for compromise'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 2. The Congress and the Left parties should express "regret" for having opposed the erstwhile NDA Government's nuclear weapons programme but including it in the ruling United Progressive Alliance's Common Minimum Programme, according to the NDA critique on the CMP.

"The CMP grudgingly talks about maintaining a credible nuclear weapons programme" and "this obliges both, the Congress and the Communists, to either express regrets for having opposed the NDA Government's bold action in 1998 or to explain how the situation has changed now," it said.

The critique was presented at a joint press conference by the former Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, and the NDA convener, George Fernandes.

"The new Government's refusal to acknowledge the roots and objectives of terrorism will impair India's fight against terrorism... POTA's misuse must be prevented. But to abrogate the law itself is truly beyond understanding," the critique said.

On Ayodhya, it said that the UPA had merely repeated the contention of the NDA in different words "demonstrating the wilful manipulation of the perception of the minorities for electoral purposes alone." Mr. Singh hoped that the UPA would be able to maintain the 8 per cent growth rate. He wished his successor, P.Chidambaram, well and hoped that the progress would continue but was quick to add that since he was the Minister till a month ago, he felt just as responsible for any "shortcomings."

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