A touch of introspection on the part of two leaders was evident at a celebration to mark the third anniversary of UPA-II at the Prime Minister's residence where the highlight was the presence of Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav on the podium along with senior ministers and UPA constituent leaders.
Adding to the celebratory occasion, Yadav declared support to UPA's Presidential candidate on the condition that he or she should not be a bureaucrat or non-political personality.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and DMK supremo M Karunanidhi kept away from the function though their party representatives were present.
Releasing 'The Report to the People' along with Gandhi, Singh said, "Difficult decisions have to be taken on both spending and revenue mobilisation. Both the Centre and states have to be fiscally responsible. We also have to remove implementation bottlenecks that are preventing large projects from getting off the ground."
He said, "Determined measures are needed to boost the climate for industrial investment, both domestic and foreign".
Despite "real achievements" of the last eight years, "there are uncertainties and a large unfinished agenda before us", he said.
Gandhi reminded the government that the result of the next Lok Sabha elections will depend on the "nature of work done by us" and not the promises.
Asserting that India has been advancing on the growth map since UPA took charge, she said, "we are aware that only two years are left when we will be seeking a new mandate from the people."
With government coming under attack on various scams, Singh acknowledged that there is "frustration" among people over corruption and said the government was working sincerely to address it through legislative and administrative measures. (MORE)
