Business Standard

Manmohan Singh to give farewell speech before submitting his resignation today

Image

ANI New Delhi

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will deliver his farewell speech to the nation on Saturday following which he will tender his resignation to President Pranab Mukherjee.

Dr. Singh, the 13th Prime Minister of the country, led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004-2014.

On Friday, Dr. Singh congratulated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi over his party's win in the Lok Sabha elections.

The BJP-led NDA secured an absolute majority in elections for the 16th Lok Sabha by claiming 337 seats. Of these, the BJP won in 283 seats. Among the other 15 parties in the coalition, only the SHS (19 seats) and the TDP (16) managed to achieve double digit figures.

 

In contrast, the ruling UPA could manage to win only 58 seats. Of these, the Congress won 43, its worst electoral performance since 1977. The remaining nine members of the ruling coalition could manage only single digit results, with the NCP coming second with five seats, and the RJD with four.

Friday's result was the largest anti-incumbency vote in India's history. It was driven by a desire for change and anger against corruption and the sluggish economy fanned directly or indirectly by the Congress-led UPA regime, which was in power for a decade.

It also represented the people's hope for a better India under BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi's watch.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: May 17 2014 | 10:25 AM IST

Explore News