Concerns about the opposition boycott of Parliament session was high on the mind of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his way back from Moscow on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists in the informal setting of his special flight, Dr Singh said India's opposition parties were not reconciled with the fact that they were out of power.
He said the National Democratic Alliance's boycott of Parliament 'truly disappointed me'.
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"Despite our offers to discuss all outstanding issues on the floor of the house they have chosen to stay away," he said.
When asked about the opposition charge that the government was being vindictive, he said, "Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Dr Singh said he was ready to discuss even the issue of tainted ministers in both houses of Parliament.
While talking about his experiment in leading a coalition government, he said, "We face the constraints of coalition politics. We have developed a Common Minimum Programme. Some constituents want to push some ideas and are not able to. But politics is the art of possible. The people of India have voted for coalition and they want political parties to work together."
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Asked about the government's big achievements, Dr Singh bunked the question. "I think it's for you ladies and gentlemen to decide. I am fully satisfied with what we have been able to achieve," he said.
While talking about the focus of his government in the future, he said, "Our focus is already defined in the CMP. Our priority is to accelerate social and economic development and get rid of poverty."
The Prime Minister said, in a evolving global economy, he wants to make India a powerhouse.
This is something Dr Singh has been saying since the day he presented his first budget in 1992.
He claimed that vision of India still inspired him.
While speaking on the Iraq situation, he said India would like Iraq to return to stability and democratic functioning.
The PM has written a letter to newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafri assuring him of India's support and willingness to work with Iraq.
Dr Singh did not mention any change in the Indian government's stand on the issue. He told the journalists that India was bound by Parliament resolution on its role in Iraq.
Turning to the subcontinent, he said the government was trying to generate national consensus on China and Pakistan.
"I am not very good at reading people's hearts," said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when asked if he believed the claim of Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf that he had a change of heart.
Musharraf had told a gathering of editors in New Delhi during his visit to New Delhi in April that he had come to India with a 'new heart'.
Talking about the separatist Hurriyat leaders of Kashmir, he said that doors were open for talks not only for the leaders within the political process but also those outside.
He said, "There are no reservations on my part."
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