Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described as worrisome the Bharatiya Janata Party's plan to return to Hindutva.

Recognising that "political compulsions sometimes overwhelm," he hoped the leadership of the main opposition party will recognise "what are the imperatives of the situation."

In an interview to Financial Times of London, he said it was hoped that six years in office would "convince the BJP leadership that India's best interests are safeguarded through the strengthening of Indian institutions and by moving to an inclusive economy and beyond the feudal society."

"Recent signs at BJP meetings are not very welcome developments," the prime minister said apparently referring to
BJP's October 27 National Council where the party's new chief expressed support for construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya and laid emphasis on Hindutva.