Congress downplays differences with NCP

New Delhi: Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reached out to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, calling him a valuable colleague, the Congress tried to downplay the differences between the parties.

Addressing mediapersons in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Janardhan Dwivedi said that all the issues would be resolved through discussions. He asserted that there was no problem between the Congress and the NCP.

"Sharad Pawar is a senior and respected leader," said Dwivedi, adding that the Congress would find solution to all the problems.

The Congress termed Sharad Pawar as a senior and respected leader, saying all the issues would be resolved through discussions.

Earlier on Friday, NCP leader and Union Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel pointed out that all was not well within the UPA government and blamed a section of the Congress party of trying to create trouble when there was none.

"Congress leaders raising the number two issue are being petty…it is absurd to call Pawar the leader of a small party," said Patel addressing a press conference.

"Issue of number two has been blown out of proportion," he further said.

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