NEW DELHI: The Congress said on Monday the process of economic liberalisation was not put on hold and the aim was to ensure that all constituents of the United Progressive Alliance supported it.

Mounting an offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress said it was "spreading rumours" of disquiet in the United Progressive Alliance and condemned reports that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "was under pressure."

Responding to criticism following the Centre's decision to put all matters regarding disinvestment on hold, party spokesperson Satyavrat Chaturvedi said having outlined the general principle that the liberalisation policy would continue, in specific cases the Government would discuss it with concerned parties. "In specific cases like NALCO and NLC, if there are reservations or objections, we would certainly discuss, try and convince our partners," he said. The party never claimed that the process of liberalisation would be easy and was aware there would be hurdles.

Responding to a question, he said the Prime Minister put disinvestment on hold since one of the constituents of the UPA had reservations.

He ridiculed a report by a television channel that the UPA core committee would be meeting more often than once a week. This, and another report purportedly providing verbatim dialogue between Dr. Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were both "laughable" and "irresponsible."

Mr. Chaturvedi said Ms. Gandhi gave the utmost respect to Dr. Singh, which he reciprocated. He said the division of work between them was clear, with Ms. Gandhi taking care of party and political affairs and Dr. Singh the Government and administration. "They are in constant communication and consult each other. This happens in a democracy," he said.

He said the differences between the previous Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy L.K. Advani were well known. On disinvestment, there were open differences within the BJP and with its ally the Samata Party during the National Democratic Alliance regime.

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