Won’t retire, but happy to make way for younger leadership: PM

M.today

New Delhi, May 24: Speaking at his first press meet in four years, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted he is not going to retire as he has got some unfinished tasks to complete but said he is ready to make way for younger leadership if the Congress party so desires.

 

 

"I have been given this task (Prime Ministership). It is still unfinished. Till I finish the tasks there is no question of retirement," 77-year-old Singh said to a query by a newsman if the thought of retirement ever came across his mind in the last six years and how he overcame it.

At the same time, to a separate question at the press conference in New Delhi, the first in his second term, Singh said he was ready to make way for "anybody".

On whether he would make way for Rahul Gandhi during his current tenure, Singh said he was ready to make place for "anybody" whom the Congress party decides.

"Let me say that I sometimes feel that younger people should take over as when the Congress party makes that judgement and I will very happy to make place for anybody the Congress party" decides, Singh said.

Observing that Rahul, the 39-year-old AICC general secretary, was "very qualified" to hold a post in the Union Cabinet, Singh said he has always been reluctant to join his ministry and renewed his offer to him to join the UPA Government.

"Rahul is very qualified to hold a Cabinet post. I have discussed with him on a number of occasions though I don’t remember exactly the date when I discussed with him last," Singh said.

He was asked when Rahul is expected to join his Cabinet as he is being projected as the future Prime Minister of the country.

"He (Rahul) has always been reluctant to give a positive answer (on joining the Cabinet) by telling me that he has due things to strengthen the Congress party," the Prime Minister said of Rahul.

He also said that as and when Rahul decides to join the Cabinet he would be given an appropriate role.

During his 85-minute press conference, Singh also answered questions ranging from India’s relations with Pakistan and the Naxal problem to the spectrum row involving Communications Minister A Raja and the Afzal Guru issue.

To a question on future of India’s relations with Pakistan, Singh said "trust deficit" between the two neighbouring countries was the "biggest problem" coming in the way of any improvement in bilateral relations.

 

 

Singh also said India is willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but it should ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against this country.

On the forthcoming dialogue between Foreign Ministers of the two countries, Singh said India is going to make a beginning in improving the bilateral relations, which have seen a chill after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.

"It has been my effort to try to reduce the gap between our two countries without surrendering or affecting our vital national interest," Singh said.

Singh said bilateral relations with Pakistan have not reached a level where India could raise the issue of taking back the areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

"There are many issues that we are discussing with Pakistan. Talks could not reach that level to find solutions to the question asked by you," Singh said when asked about the efforts made by the government to get back Indian territories under Pakistani occupation.

The Prime Minister said it was his conviction that the two countries could not make any headway in the Composite Dialogue as there has been a lack of adequate trust between the countries.

"There has been a lack of adequate trust and trust deficit is the biggest problem (between the two countries)," he said.

"We are willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan. But it should ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against India," he said.

Speaking on the performance of UPA-2, Singh said, "I believe that the record of our first year of UPA-II is a record of reasonable achievement. I am the first person to admit that we could have done more." He also said one should not be satisfied with "what we have achieved."

On his relations with Sonia Gandhi, Singh strongly dismissed suggestions of "mistrust" and "distrust" between him and the Congress President, saying he receives constant advice and guidance from her.

He said there is no "iota of mistrust or distrust between me and the Congress President."

"No question of gap in thinking between me and Congress president...She is the leader of the UPA and she is the president of the Congress party and I am a Congressman," Singh said, when asked about the reported differences between the government and the party on a host of issues.

He said he meets Gandhi once in a week to discuss the political developments as well as issues related to governance.

Responding to a question about the criticism faced by his government for its anti-Naxal strategy, the PM said, "Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge facing our country. We have not underestimated the problem of Naxalism." (Naxalism remains the biggest internal security challenge: PM) | (Home Minister has explained ’limited mandate’: PM)

Speaking about the violence in Jammu & Kashmir, the PM said, "I would like to appeal to all groups in Jammu and Kashmir to shed violence and come to the dialogue table."

Speaking on the Parliament attack death row convict Afzal Guru, the PM said the "law of the land" should be allowed to take its course in dealing with the issue.

"There is law of the land. They should be allowed to have their course," Singh said replying to a question over when the death sentence awarded to Guru would be carried out.