Days after Sharad Pawar praised the Prime Minister, his party Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday suggested that Manmohan Singh be projected as the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) prime ministerial candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections.

"Manmohan Singh has functioned in a most democratic manner heading the coalition and he is honest, transparent and there is no controversy against him", NCP's Chief Spokesman D P Tripathi said.

Tripathi said that a coalition government especially needed a Prime Minister like Manmohan Singh.

NCP is the first among the dozen odd constituents of the UPA, which has expressed its view on the issue.

Congress has been shying away in the matter saying that the issue could be decided when elections come. "Why to speak about the issue now when there is no vacancy," has been the refrain of Congress spokespersons.

Asked what the NCP thinks about young leader Rahul Gandhi, often projected by Congress as a future leader and a potential Prime Minister, Tripathi remarked, "Let the Congress first take a decision about Rahul. As far as NCP is concerned, we offer our best wishes".

Replying to a question, he said Congress has not yet learnt the coalition culture at the Centre and it was time they learnt from their own experience in Kerala where it is heading the opposition United Democratic Front.