New Delhi, May 14: NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, today said the issue of Gandhi heading the new government would be discussed by all the allies and prospective partners in a day or two and a decision would be taken. He also said his party`s working committee will decide whether to join the new government but made it clear that NCP would help and support the Congress in providing a stable coalition.

"The issue (of Gandhi becoming prime minister) did not come up during my meeting with her and no decision has been taken. It will be decided by all parties in a day or two," Pawar, who had kept aside his party`s opposition to a person of foreign origin occupying the top post before entering into an alliance with Congress, told reporters here.

He added that a committee to draft a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the new coalition would be headed by Manmohan Singh. Pawar said with the NDA announcing that it would not stake claim to form a government, his 30-minute talks with Gandhi were confined to drafting of a Common Minimum Programme which "has to be resolved first. This will be the first stage for government formation".

Discussions with the Left parties, which could play a "crucial role" in providing a stable coalition, was being given "top priority", he said, adding he would be meeting CPI (M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet in this regard.
While maintaining that drafting of the Common Minimum Programme would involve pre-poll allies like his party, DMK, Lok Janshakti of Ram Vilas Paswan and RJD, Pawar, who addressed the press along with senior party leader Praful Patel, said he has not had any discussion with SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. He also said he would be talking to former prime minister Chandrashekhar.

On whether NCP favoured SP and Mayawati`s BSP to join the coalition, he said "it will be good if more parties join but it is upto those parties to take a stand".

Bureau Report