 "PM's Q&A with the media")
Outgoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attacked Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi, referring to him as “disastrous for India” in his third and perhaps final press conference in the 10-year tenure. Singh said he was not in the race and would hand over the baton to the next PM. He did not name Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate but said he had excellent credentials to lead. Edited excerpts from the Q&A session:
On the Congress PM candidate:
We will announce at an appropriate time.
On Rahul Gandhi being named as PM candidate:
On the PM’s clean image getting spoilt due to corruption charges:
The charges of corruption, including 2G and coal allocation, mostly relate to UPA 1. We went to electorate on the basis of our performance in that era. People of India gave us the mandate for another five years. These issues were raised by media, CAG, and the Opposition.
On scams hurting the UPA govt:
It is sad that I was the one who insisted spectrum allocation in telecom must be fair, transparent and equitable. I was the one who said coal allocation must be transparent. Opposition has a vested interest. When history is written, we will come out unscathed. Im not saying there hasn’t been anything inappropriate or inadequate, but the issues have been blown up by the media, CAG and Opposition.
On whether Singh wanted to resign at any point:
I have never felt like resigning. I have enjoyed doing my work without regard for fear or favour.
On whether subsidy policies will be revised after recent poll debacle:
I will not speculate in this forum what is going to happen in the months to come. Price rise was a factor that turned people against us.
On keeping silent on tricky issues:
Whenever there’s been a need, I have spoken in party forum. I will keep speaking in the future too.
On likely reforms now:
Reform is not an event, it is a process. Whenever there is any scope, we will have reform.
On corruption issue related to Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh:
I cannot comment on the matter yet.
On how Singh has changed since he took over as the PM:
I’m the same person I was nine years ago. There’s no change. I have served with utmost sincerity, integrity and dedication. I have never used my offices to enrich friends and relatives.
On relations with the US hitting rock bottom:
Our government attaches highest priority to strengthen relations with other countries. Recently there have been some hiccups, but that’s a temporary aberration.
On the feasibility of Presidential system:
I havnt thought this through at any depth. But Parliamentary system is best suited for India’s diversity. Presidential system will be counter-productive.
On failure to act:
I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than contemporary media and Opposition. I have done as best as I could in the given circumstances.
On Narendra Modi as PM:
I have full confidence the next PM will be from the UPA coalition. Without discussing the merits of Narendra Modi, I must say that it will be disastrous for the country to have Modi as the PM.
On strong PM:
I don’t think a strong PM is one who presides over mass massacre. That’s not the kind of strength a PM needs.
On how he wants to be remembered as a PM:
It is for the historians to judge, I have done as well as I could. I must mention that there has been sustained economic growth during the tenure. And our performance has been better than NDA’s.
On Sonia Gandhi running the show:
Mrs Gandhi’s support has been enormous in complex issues.
On why he did not visit Pakistan even once as PM:
As PM, I should visit Pakistan only if there’s likelihood of a solid result. I still have not given up hope before I complete my term.
On how he would rate his government:
It is for you people to rate. I feel I have done reasonably well.
On Aam Aadmi Party and its decision to get electricity companies audited by CAG:
People of India have reposed confidence in them. We must respect the democratic process. Only time will tell if they would succeed. Its too early to comment. They must be given time and chance.
On whether he was told to step down ever:
Nobody has asked me to step down because of any inadequacy (in governance).
On the best and the lowest moment as PM:
I will need time to reflect on that. Best moment must be the nuclear deal with the US.
On AAP and tackling of corruption issue:
Tackling corruption is not an easy process. All parties must collectively grapple to check this monster. It is not for one party to accomplish this goal.
On unfinished agenda:
Five months is a long time. If I can revive the economy, I will be happy.
On implementation of Kasturirangan report on enevironment impact on Westerm Ghats:
This is still in discussion stage. No final decision taken.
On what he will do after stepping down as PM:
I will cross the bridge when I reach there.
On decisions taken at 10 Janpath (Sonia Gandhi’s house):
It is not a disadvantage. If Congress has a view, it must be reflected. Its not a drawback in the system. Mrs Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been there to back the government. Of course, there were times when they differed from the government. It is not incorrect to make corrections if party leadership thinks that way.
On regrets:
I have not thought through this. But I would like to do more in healthcare—children, women, rural…
On encouraging foreign investors:
India provides hospitable environment for FDI. We will continue on that path.
On trust deficit from industry:
Along with international slowdown in the economy, there have been domestic factors hurting the industry too. There have been infrastructure bottlenecks. Also, delay in environment clearances to projects has adversely impacted industry.
On controlling price rise:
We are trying to do that. Rahul Gandhi recently convened a meeting of chief ministers to discuss steps to bring down prices.
On Modi’s claims (of being the next PM):
What Modi is saying is not going to materialise
On the Congress PM candidate:
We will announce at an appropriate time.
On Rahul Gandhi being named as PM candidate:
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I will not be candidate for prime ministership if UPA comes back to power. Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to be nominated as PM candidate. I hope our party will take that decision at an appropriate time.
On the PM’s clean image getting spoilt due to corruption charges:
The charges of corruption, including 2G and coal allocation, mostly relate to UPA 1. We went to electorate on the basis of our performance in that era. People of India gave us the mandate for another five years. These issues were raised by media, CAG, and the Opposition.
On scams hurting the UPA govt:
It is sad that I was the one who insisted spectrum allocation in telecom must be fair, transparent and equitable. I was the one who said coal allocation must be transparent. Opposition has a vested interest. When history is written, we will come out unscathed. Im not saying there hasn’t been anything inappropriate or inadequate, but the issues have been blown up by the media, CAG and Opposition.
On whether Singh wanted to resign at any point:
I have never felt like resigning. I have enjoyed doing my work without regard for fear or favour.
On whether subsidy policies will be revised after recent poll debacle:
I will not speculate in this forum what is going to happen in the months to come. Price rise was a factor that turned people against us.
On keeping silent on tricky issues:
Whenever there’s been a need, I have spoken in party forum. I will keep speaking in the future too.
On likely reforms now:
Reform is not an event, it is a process. Whenever there is any scope, we will have reform.
On corruption issue related to Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh:
I cannot comment on the matter yet.
On how Singh has changed since he took over as the PM:
I’m the same person I was nine years ago. There’s no change. I have served with utmost sincerity, integrity and dedication. I have never used my offices to enrich friends and relatives.
On relations with the US hitting rock bottom:
Our government attaches highest priority to strengthen relations with other countries. Recently there have been some hiccups, but that’s a temporary aberration.
On the feasibility of Presidential system:
I havnt thought this through at any depth. But Parliamentary system is best suited for India’s diversity. Presidential system will be counter-productive.
On failure to act:
I honestly believe history will be kinder to me than contemporary media and Opposition. I have done as best as I could in the given circumstances.
On Narendra Modi as PM:
I have full confidence the next PM will be from the UPA coalition. Without discussing the merits of Narendra Modi, I must say that it will be disastrous for the country to have Modi as the PM.
On strong PM:
I don’t think a strong PM is one who presides over mass massacre. That’s not the kind of strength a PM needs.
On how he wants to be remembered as a PM:
It is for the historians to judge, I have done as well as I could. I must mention that there has been sustained economic growth during the tenure. And our performance has been better than NDA’s.
On Sonia Gandhi running the show:
Mrs Gandhi’s support has been enormous in complex issues.
On why he did not visit Pakistan even once as PM:
As PM, I should visit Pakistan only if there’s likelihood of a solid result. I still have not given up hope before I complete my term.
On how he would rate his government:
It is for you people to rate. I feel I have done reasonably well.
On Aam Aadmi Party and its decision to get electricity companies audited by CAG:
People of India have reposed confidence in them. We must respect the democratic process. Only time will tell if they would succeed. Its too early to comment. They must be given time and chance.
On whether he was told to step down ever:
Nobody has asked me to step down because of any inadequacy (in governance).
On the best and the lowest moment as PM:
I will need time to reflect on that. Best moment must be the nuclear deal with the US.
On AAP and tackling of corruption issue:
Tackling corruption is not an easy process. All parties must collectively grapple to check this monster. It is not for one party to accomplish this goal.
On unfinished agenda:
Five months is a long time. If I can revive the economy, I will be happy.
On implementation of Kasturirangan report on enevironment impact on Westerm Ghats:
This is still in discussion stage. No final decision taken.
On what he will do after stepping down as PM:
I will cross the bridge when I reach there.
On decisions taken at 10 Janpath (Sonia Gandhi’s house):
It is not a disadvantage. If Congress has a view, it must be reflected. Its not a drawback in the system. Mrs Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have been there to back the government. Of course, there were times when they differed from the government. It is not incorrect to make corrections if party leadership thinks that way.
On regrets:
I have not thought through this. But I would like to do more in healthcare—children, women, rural…
On encouraging foreign investors:
India provides hospitable environment for FDI. We will continue on that path.
On trust deficit from industry:
Along with international slowdown in the economy, there have been domestic factors hurting the industry too. There have been infrastructure bottlenecks. Also, delay in environment clearances to projects has adversely impacted industry.
On controlling price rise:
We are trying to do that. Rahul Gandhi recently convened a meeting of chief ministers to discuss steps to bring down prices.
On Modi’s claims (of being the next PM):
What Modi is saying is not going to materialise