We extended support to you (Manmohan Singh government) on the basis of a Common Minimum Programme. But the nuclear deal, safeguards agreement with IAEA, strategic relations with America, blindly following the US in foreign policy — were these part of the CMP?

We had given you a debit card. You are a former banker and you should know there is a cash withdrawal limit in any debit card. We had been warning you that you are exceeding the withdrawal limit but you said President Bush has said that you can withdraw as much as you want. Our Common Minimum Programme was not with Bush.

We entered into a CMP with the Congress because it has a legacy. From Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi everybody has spoken about disarmament, independent foreign policy; Mahatma Gandhi had led the independence movement.

The prime minister is dragging the government into an ‘uncommon’ programme. The government was there for four years plus on the basis of a minimum programme. The prime minister is taking it into a ‘maximum’ programme. I am not bound by that; the CPM is not bound by that; the Left is not bound by that; the House is not bound by that; and the nation is not bound by that.

Before going to Vienna, the government should undergo a dope test. Then it will be clear how there was a sudden increase in its vigour.

As far as price rise is concerned, we had said, put a ban on forward trading. This gambling is unacceptable.

... contd.