PM: I have a job to do, will go when party asks

on Wednesday, June 29, 2011

PM: I have a job to do, will go when party asks


Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday strongly rejected suggestions that he had become a ‘lame duck’ in office, saying that he had been entrusted this job by the Congress Party and had not heard ‘any contrary views.’

An assertive Dr Singh claimed that the perception that his government was ‘comatose’ — and therefore that he was a ‘lameduck’ Prime Minister — had been ‘cleverly propagated’ by the Opposition, and ‘to which some sections of the media had lent an ear.’

Dr Singh declared that the ‘truth will prevail’, and his performance would speak for itself.

The PM said he had got the ‘maximum possible cooperation’ from Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and claimed he met Mrs Gandhi one-on-one almost every week. He also said that he never felt that she was an ‘obstacle’.

In a 100-minute interaction with a group of five senior print media editors at his 7 Race Course Road residence here on Wednesday, a relaxed PM confidently fielded questions on a wide range of issues, including the talk that Rahul Gandhi should take his place, the Lokpal Bill, corruption and relations with neighbouring countries.

Dr Singh warmly praised the Congress president, claiming that she had done a ‘superb job’ as party chief for nearly 15 years now. Asked about occasional statements from party leaders that Rahul Gandhi should become PM, Dr Singh is learnt to have said that the Congress and its president had entrusted him with this job, and he had ‘not heard any contrary view’ from the Congress high command.

“In fact, the Congress high command has always been most supportive, particularly Mrs Sonia,” the PM said.

Dr Singh, however, went on to add: “Personally, if you ask me, the general proposition that younger peeople should take over, I think, is the right sentiment.”

He added that whenever the party ‘makes up its mind, I will be very happy to step down, but so long as I am here I have a job to do.’

On the Lokpal Issue, the PM said he would personally have no hesitation in subjecting himself to the jurisdiction of proposed anti-corruption law.

But he added that some of his colleagues felt bringing the Prime Minister under the Lokpal would create an element of instability which, at times, can go out of hand.

“I, for one, have no hesitation in bringing myself under the purview of the Lokpal,” he is reported to have said.

Dr Singh, however, ruled out inclusion of the higher judiciary within the ambit of the anti-corruption ombudsman. This would be contrary to the constitutional scheme of things, he said, while voicing confidence that a national consensus would soon be evolved on the Lokpal Bill.

Affirming that he was not saying ‘anything one way or the other,’ Dr Singh said the office of Prime Minister was in any case covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Also, he said, any person holding this office was a ‘24-hour servant of the people,’ who can be removed by Parliament through a vote of no confidence. There were divergent opinions on the subject, Dr Singh said, adding that he would like to be ‘guided’ by the political parties.

Dr Singh also noted that Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who both favoured keeping the PM’s office out of the Lokpal’s purview, had already given their views.

On civil society members’ demand for creating a Lokpal structure that would cover all public servants in both the Centre and states, Dr Singh is reported to have said: “I have doubt whether our system will be able to stand that strain. Let us concentrate on corruption in high places, which is most obnoxious.”

Stating that he had respect for civil society members, the Prime Minister said that was the reason why he had taken the trouble to interact with them. But within two or three days, he said, he found that ‘there were other forces’ controlling Mr Hazare.

Similarly, his government had interacted with yoga teacher Ramdev as part of an honest attempt to be receptive to ideas.

The effort was not to create an unnecessary misunderstanding with him. Clarifying that Union ministers had not gone to Delhi airport to receive Baba Ramdev, Dr Singh said the idea was to engage him before he entered Delhi. But when Ramdev sees large crowds, ‘that has an effect on him,’ Dr Singh added.

The Prime Minister was sharply critical of the media for being ‘accuser, prosecutor and judge’ in some cases, and warned against creation of an atmosphere of cynicism in the country.

Clearly referring to the media’s coverage of recent scams, Dr Singh said sometimes the government did not know all the facts while taking a decision, but ‘nevertheless it has to take decisions.’

On the issue of the alleged bugging of finance minister Pranab Mukherjee’s office, the Prime Minister said the Intelligence Bureau had found nothing there, and it was a ‘closed chapter.’

He said: “Mr Mukherjee did complain to me. I instructed the IB to do a thorough check. It reported back to me saying that there is nothing of that sort.”

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