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"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 here, the first in his second term, Singh said he was ready to make way for ‘anybody’.
On whether he would make way for Rahul during his current tenure, Singh said he was ready to make place for "anybody" whom the Congress party decides.
"Let me say 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.
During his 85-minute press conference, Singh 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.
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.
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.
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.
Singh, who addressed his first press conference here in four years, 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.
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Dear sir, through u i want to convey my massage to mr Rahul Gandhi, If a commen man want to talk to u or want to convey some massage to u then how he can do. i think we should have ur email ID thus we can communicate with u.
The politicians should have an age of retirement?????? the reason is the young generation should get a chance...............................
In a country of billion people Rahul is the only young man Manmohan has spotted through the eyes of Sonia gandhi.
I will only request P.M Manmohanji "YE MAT SOCHO KAL KIYA HOGA, JO BHI HOGA ACHHA HOGA"(First line of famous hindi song) Two other Gandhi are also in queue Prinyanka & Varun
What a PITY...here is a MP & son of formar PM ...takes Bill Gate to his constituency and tells him to develope IT hub...what do you have to say about this ...if he is unable to do developement in his own constituency..how can he be PM
It is not clear why Dr Manmohan Singh decided to have this press conference. He sidestepped all issues and did not spell out any action plan. We Indians were expecting a more efficient and honest head of Government. Time has come for him to retire rather than slogging.
First press conference in the last four years tells a lot about Dr.Manmohan Singh's motto for running his Government; Work hard and sincerely,and produce results for the citizens of this country. It does not require to talk much as the results speak for itself. I wish all the best for PM's efforts to lift this country to still greater heights.
rahul is not fit even to become a school teacher n he being recommended for cabinet or PM post.... God save India from turning into a banana repuplic. Being a son of gandhi clan dosent give him automatic entry, nor eating food in some dalit home qualifies him for this position, but then this is India where its easy to blackmail poor people emotionally.
The unfinished tasks will get completed soon after Punjab Assembly Elections. It happens only in Congress that suddenly someone becomes PM, with a only qualification that his/her parent held the post. If some Indian thinks that Hon'ble FM, Pranab ji or Hon'ble Home minister PC, or any other senior congres leaders are not elegible for PM post, We can very well UNDERSTAND THEIR LOOOOYALTY and PATRIOTISM?!! Vande Mataram
Better the PM does it on his own post haste. It is not that Rahul is qualified. But if it is delayed till 2014, there is every danger Congress will try to garner votes by projecting a youthful leader. That will be another treachery on the nation. If, instead Rahul is made PM now, he will certainly prove a disaster before 2014 and that will pave way for decimation of the devil aka Congress.
PM singh has been given the task of safeguarding PM's position till Rahul becomes PM one fine day.He is given the task of balancing the corrupt coalition govt.
Time and again the media has been projecting Rahul as the future Prime Minister of India & at times put the words in the mouth of the incumbent PM. In terms of qualification, experience, mass contact, achievement & concern for the common man, Rahul has not scored more than a zero. Do we not have more qualified, competent and better leaders than him to occupy the PMs chair? Are we not ashamed to project a person to head the nation only because of his grand mother & great grand father? I do not think India is bankrupt in terms of political leadership. This young man has not developed leadership yet. he's become a member of parliament owing to his family background and not his personal qualities. India media is still propagating the slavery mentality and projecting Nehru dynasty as if there is no alternative. India has opened itself to the world and the era of development has started during the tenures of P.V. Narasimha Rao & A.B. Vajapayee, but there's no mention of them anywhere.
Once again the PM Singh has proved his only aim to carry on with this job is of a care-taker waiting for the time to crown Rahul Gandhi.Mr singh is enslaved obsequiopus prideless indivisual.Sycophantic characteristics only helped him to be what he was/is.To serve this clan and not the nation was/is his supreme goal/interest.All these years of his leadership was colossal waste of national progress in the most selfish;selfishness to serve the interests of a family,and most vulagar forms of social advertisements that give a force and justification to preserve and foster anarchical passions.It is such an evil that stimulate class hatreds and deepen divisions.He along with incompetant avaricious cabal,has driven the nation into most critical chaos jeopardizing security and unity.The evil springing from glorification of this notorious family by PM and Cong is no greater than moral evil with which public opinionexcuses them,and social position it accords to the unworthy,dishonest unpatriotic
Nobody can deny the dignity,honesty,not being greedy,cool temperament,resourceful of Monmohan Singh,P.M.There is nothing wrong in saying "I will make way for Rahul when Congress decides...."People at large say that Congress means Sonia Gandhi & it will remain with the kith & kin of Nehru Family.Though there are justifications for saying so but after Netaji we find no leader to take the helm of the party.Some was tested & that too at the instance of Sonia. It would not be untrue if I say that no political leaders of the party will accept any one even he found to have the quality better than Sonia/Rahul.Please think about the treatment made to Netaji when he was elected president demo- cratically,by Mahatma Gandhi.Now everyone look at Sonia.No- body has the gut to go against her dictate.One can see the happenings in W.B. since last L.S.election.Position of Cong. in W.B. is ridiculous.Hate campaign against Cong.by Mamata is not mentionable.Clippings be sent to Sonia by F.M.
PM IS MODEST IN STATING THAT HE IS WILLING TO MAKE WAY FOR'YOUNG'LEADERSHIP TO REPLACE HIM ! IN FACT, HE IS WAITING FOR 'LINE CLEAR ' SIGNAL FROM 'PALACE' AND NOT THE CONGRESS PARTY !!
It is people of India who will vote and decide in 2014 To utter dismay disappointment desbelief and frustration of all arm chair view makers and opinion makers majority of people will vote for Congress and allied parties and Rahul will be ielected PM in a democratic process process And if that happens these so called self proclaimed intelligent people will be shocked and will waste time in such opinion making process