PM: I feel somewhat sad, because I was the one who insisted that spectrum allocation should be transparent, it should be fair, it should be equitable. I was the one who insisted that coal blocks should be allocated on the basis of auctions. These facts are forgotten. The Opposition has a vested interest. Sometimes the media play into their hands as well, and, therefore, I have every reason to believe, that when history is written of this period, we will come out unscathed. This is not to say that there was no irregularity. There were irregularities. But the dimensions of the problems have been overstated by the media, by the CAG [Comptroller and Auditor General] sometimes, and by other entities.
You did indicate in your opening speech that you rule yourself out of a third term. So do you want Rahul Gandhi to be named PM candidate? And, do you rule out an active political life for yourself after the 2014 elections.
PM: I have indicated in my opening remarks that I am not going to be a candidate for prime ministership if the UPA [United Progressive Alliance] were to come back to power. Rahul Gandhi has outstanding credentials to be nominated as the (prime ministerial) candidate. I hope our party will take that decision at the appropriate time.
Have you ever felt like resigning, at any point over the last 9-10 years.
PM: I have never felt like resigning at any time. I have enjoyed doing my work. I have tried to do my work with all honesty, with all sense of integrity, without regard, or fear or favour.
UPA-I benefited from the Common Minimum Programme [CMP] and coordination committee. UPA-II didn't have one. Will UPA-III have a CMP if it comes to power?
PM: It is too early to judge the shape of things to come for UPA-III. I am confident that when the time comes, there will be enough number of people, who will recognise that a coalition guided by the Congress party, of the type that the UPA regime has been, is something which is required, something which is eminently needed to carry out the social and economic revolution that we want this country to experience, to get rid of poverty, ignorance and disease that afflict millions of people in our country even now.
Most CMs said their defeat was because of price rise. Does it hurt that the blame is being put on your door. Also, diesel prices have not been reviewed, and the number of subsidised LPG cylinders is also under review. Does this mean that your government is reviewing its policy on subsidies as a result of its defeat in the Assembly elections?
PM: What is going to happen in months to come, I would not like to speculate - certainly not in this forum. But I will be honest enough to say that, it could be that price rise was a factor in the people's turning against the Congress party. And I have explained that the reasons why price rise took place are reasons beyond our control, because international commodity prices are rising, because international energy prices are rising. These were the factors that made it difficult for us to control prices as effectively as we could have done. But having said that, I would also like to say that we have taken enough measures to protect the weaker sections of our economy and our society against rising prices. The public distribution system has been stabilised. Prices of public distribution foodgrains have not been increased since 2003. What is more, through instrumentalities such as the MNREGA, we have ensured that the rural wages earned by the agricultural labourers, are indexed at the rate of inflation - they provide a certain measure of protection to these segments of our society. These factors should not be lost sight of.
Are you still hopeful about pushing some reforms agenda. What will be your priorities?
PM: Reform is not an event, it is a process. Therefore, so long as we are in power, we will continue to push the cause of reform wherever there is scope for it, and if circumstances permit us to go forward.
Virbhadra Singh in HP is sitting in government and deciding on companies where he and his family have an interest. Do you think that is proper?
PM: I am sorry. I am not able to comment on what you are referring to, in Himachal Pradesh. I have seen some newspaper reports. I have also received a letter on December 29, from Shri Arun Jaitley. But I have not had the time to apply my mind to it - what is the truth in these allegations.
How do you think the aam aadmi now perceives you, as a politician, as a PM?
PM: I am the same person as I was years ago. There has been no change. I say it in all sincerity that I have tried to serve this country with utmost dedication and commitment and with utmost integrity.
What is the state of the Indo-US relations. As your term comes to an end, it seems to have hit rock bottom again.
PM: Our government attaches highest priority to strengthening the strategic partnership between our two countries. There have recently been some hiccups, but I sincerely believe that these are temporary aberrations and diplomacy should be given a chance to resolve these issues that have arisen.
Difficult terrain has become a common excuse to give for incomplete implementation of projects in the North East. What is your government doing about it?
PM: I think fencing and some of these other projects have been facing some difficulties, because of difficulties of terrain. There is no doubt about that.
Edited excerpts from the PM's press conference, New Delhi, January 3, 2014