New Delhi:Dr.Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India had officially announced on Friday in a press meet that he has been ruled himself out from the race of Prime Minister after the next Lok Sabha election. He also said that Rahul Gandhi had “outstanding credentials” for PM post.
Over the announcement of PM candidate of Congress party for 2014 general elections, PM said the Congress party would decide on its prime ministerial candidate and announce it at an “appropriate” time.
Manmohan Singh sought to dispel the negative image of his government and the tag of weak Prime Minister for him after nine and half years in office saying he had done his best and put the country on a good growth momentum while addressing a press conference.
Dr. Singh said, “I do not believe I am a weak prime minister. It is for historians to judge. The BJP and its associates may say whatever they like. If by strong Prime Minister you mean you preside over mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, if that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that that this country needs that kind of strength.”
The Prime Minister said, “I will hand the baton over to a new prime minister. I hope it will be a UPA chosen prime minister and our party will work to that end.” He said it in his opening statement.
On question of charges of corruption on his party, Manmohan Singh said, “Well as far as charge of corruption are concerned, most of the charges relate to period of UPA I. The coal block allocation as well 2G spectrum allocation, they were both in UPA I. We went to the electorate in 2009 and people gave us mandate to rule again. These charges have been raised from time to time by the media, CAG and courts. They belong to the previous five years. People of India entrusted us with the responsibility to rule again. They do not seem to have paid heed to all charges of corruption.”
Dr. Singh said he felt “somewhat sad. It was I who insisted that spectrum allocation should be transparent and fair. It was I who insisted that the allocation of coal blocks should be on the basis of auction. These facts were forgotten. Opposition has vested interests. Sometimes the media plays into their hands. When history is written we will come out unscathed. This is not to say that there are no irregularities. But the dimensions of the problem have been overstated by the media, by CAG sometimes and other entities.”
“I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or for that matter opposition parties,” said Manmohan Singh on the question about his performance and how he would be judged.
Singh also cited the achievements of his government and said that in 2004 it tried to give “a New Deal for Rural India” and pursued farmer friendly policies including raising support prices, expanding credit to farmers, and increasing investment in horticulture, rural development, and rural infrastructure, especially roads and electricity.
He further said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has assured agricultural labor of a floor and has increased their bargaining power, besides improving delivery of health and education services.
He said that because of the policies pursued by the government, percentage of the population below the poverty line has fallen much faster in the period 2004-2011 than it did in the previous ten year period and that the number of people below the poverty line has come down by 13.8 crore.
Narendra Modi will be disastrous for the country if he became PM after 2014 general election
Meanwhile Manmohan Singh had strongly comment Narendra Modi with harsh words.
He said, “Without discussing the merits of Narendra Modi, I sincerely believe that it will be disastrous for the country to have Modi as the PM.”
Dr. Singh also said, “If you measure the strength of Prime Minister by presiding over mass massacre of innocent citizens on streets of Ahmedabad, then I do not believe in it.”
“I sincerely believe what Narendra Modi is saying is not going to materialize”, said Manmohan Singh over the question of dream of BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi’s dream of becoming PM.
Dr. Singh admit the failure of his government to contain inflation
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had admitted the failure of his government to contain inflation and said that high prices have helped farmers and asserted the country was heading for better times.
PM said, “We have also not been as successful in controlling persistent inflation as we would have wished. This is primarily because food inflation has increased. However, we should remember that our inclusive policies have put more money in the hands of the weaker sections.”
While talking about inflation, he said, “is legitimate but we should also recognize that incomes for most people have increased faster than inflation.”
Dr. Singh attributed the slowdown to global factors but exuded confidence that the growth momentum would revive in the coming years over regards the growth, which has slipped to decade’s low of 5 per cent in 2012—13.
He also said, “We are set for better times. The cycle of global economic growth is turning for the better. Many of the steps we have taken to address our domestic constraints are coming into play. India’s own growth momentum will revive.”
He claimed that during the term of UPA, India for the first time in its recorded history, witnessed a sudden acceleration of economic growth to 9 per cent.
Dr. Singh said, “This exceptional performance was followed by a slowdown initiated by the global financial crisis. Over the past couple of years, all emerging economies have experienced a slowdown. India was no exception.”
Dr. Singh further added that it was not just the acceleration of growth that “gives me satisfaction. Equally important is the fact that we made the growth process more socially inclusive than it has ever been.”
Prime Minister, while expressing the government’s commitment to economic reforms, said “so long as we are in power we will continue to push for reforms. Our government attaches highest priority to reforms. We will continue to implement our policies, with vigour and commitment, aiming to revive growth, promote enterprise, generate employment, eliminate poverty and ensure the safety and security of all our people, particularly women and children.”
He further said that India provides a hospitable environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). We will continue to improve our practices wherever needed.
Government of AAP should be “given time to justify themselves”
Dr. Manmohan Singh also said that the government of AAP in Delhi should be “given time to justify themselves”.
On the query whether AAP will push for audit of power distribution companies by the Comptroller and Auditor General in Delhi, PM said, “We must respect the democratic process. Time will tell (if AAP has been) capable of dealing with challenges. (They) must be given time to justify themselves.”
Over a question of fighting against corruption, Dr. Singh said, “We must collectively grapple deal with (corruption). It is not a task which one party can accomplish. Many parties have to work together.”
Bureau Report
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