PM likely to do a press conference every month till elections: Sources

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posted on 10 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Manmohan Singh addressed the media on Friday in New Delhi over UPA tenure.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to do a press conference every month till 2014 Lok Sabha elections, according to sources. Singh addressed the media on Friday in New Delhi over UPA-II tenure. This was his third press meet after he took charge as the Prime Minister in May 2004.

Defending the government on various scams, Singh said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has done more than any other regime to bring in transparency in spectrum and coal block allocations. Holding up the UPA's economic record, he said growth was highest during his 10 year long tenure even though he admitted inflation, corruption could have been controlled better while his regime had not had much success in creating job in the country.

However, political analysts and Opposition has said that the Prime Minister mostly exonerated himself during the press conference while pointing out that he should have answered the questions on the charges of corruption his government is facing.

Singh also launched a scathing attack on him saying it will be a disaster for the country if such a person became the Prime Minister of India. "Without going into the credentials of anyone, I think it will be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as the PM," said Singh at his second press conference with media in his second tenure.

He also took a dig at Modi over Gujarat riots saying, "Strong leader does not mean you preside over the mass massacre of people in Ahmedabad." This is the first time that Singh has taken such a tough stand against Gujarat Chief Minister, who has gone overboard many times while taking on the Prime Minister and his performance.

Singh also made it clear that he won't be the the Prime Minister in UPA-3 government if it gets people support in 2014 elections. "I will continue till 2014 Lok Sabha elections. After that I will hand over the baton to other person," Manmohan Singh said in his first media interaction in almost four years while paving the way for Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to take over the baton from him, he said the MP from Amethi has excellent credentials to lead the country.