Pranab downplays friction between UPA and Left parties

KOLKATA: Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, on Saturday sought to downplay the growing tension between the UPA government and the Left parties on economic and foreign policy issues saying that this was 'natural' in coalition politics.

"It is a natural phenomenon. In coalition politics such feelings are expressed," Mukherjee told reporters.

He was also asked to comment on veteran CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu's statement on Friday that Leftists were unhappy with the UPA government specially its pro-Amercian tilt.

"He (Basu) has thought it fit to say so and has commented. There is nothing wrong in that," Mukherjee said.