The kid gloves are off.

The New Democrats launched attack ads on television and created a dedicated website to discredit Tory Leader Hugh McFadyen and his party.

"I've been a victim of attack ads since November and I guess the party wanted to be positive and accountable," said Premier Gary Doer, who said his party's negative ads are an attempt to hold the Tories accountable.

"You cannot have a situation where for four or five months one party is virtually slamming another party and there's not an appropriate response."

The NDP is also running some "positive" ads simultaneously, Doer added.

"We have maintained the high road but at the same time we're going to hold people accountable," he said. "We did not initiate but we're not passive either."

Doer said the ads are not an indication that an election will be called within the next few days but added he would like to hold one near the four-year anniversary of the government's mandate, which is in early June.

The NDP government plans to introduce its budget today, and the Tories have threatened to stonewall its introduction.

Doer would not rule out an immediate election call if opposition parties prevent the budget from being introduced.

Doer also accused the Tories of campaigning like American politicians.

"The Conservative party has been trained by the Republicans and they're pretty ... the negative ads were out in November, and we're merely protecting ourselves," said Doer.

Tory house leader Kelvin Goertzen said the ads are a low blow, and Manitobans should expect more from the premier.

"I'm surprised that a premier that's been elected for seven years has to rely on personal fear and smear attack ads instead of having a record to run on," said Goertzen.

"But maybe when you've misled people about the state of health care, maybe when you've got 20 vehicles that are stolen a day in the city of Winnipeg, maybe you don't want to talk about your record."

Goertzen said the Tory attack ads against Doer were an attempt to highlight vital information about the government.

"I certainly think it's fair to talk about what this government did," said Goertzen.

He said his party plans to run a good, clean campaign.

"I certainly think Manitobans expect better from a premier and I think they're going to see better from a Conservative campaign," said Goertzen.