The United Progressive Alliance is ready to face the vote of confidence, Union External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here today.

Earlier, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said she regretted that the Left had withdrawn support to the government. "It is time to look ahead," she said.

She added, "The Samajwadi Party has offered to support to us. We welcome this and thank them for it."

"Before the Left withdrew support, the prime minister had said that he would not operationalise the agreement without taking Parliament into confidence. We stand by that position," she said.

"I have no doubt that we shall prove our majority and work to fulfill our remaining agenda," Sonia said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad said, "Sonia Gandhi appreciates the contribution of Left parties. Without them, the government could not have been formed."