Congress Releases Poll Manifesto, Says Singh Still King
Terming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a matchless choice for the top post, Congress president Sonia Gandhi released the party election manifesto in New Delhi on Tuesday.
“There can be many candidates for the post of prime minister but nobody stands in front of Manmohan Singh. He has both experience and competence,” Sonia Gandhi said while releasing the party’s manifesto here.
She expressed hope that the people would vote for the Congress keeping in mind the achievements of the UPA government in the last five years.
The leader added that security, respect and prosperity of all citizens will be the party’s endeavour.
The party says it will introduce measures to ensure that economic growth is maintained and protect farmers from the impact of a global slowdown.
Speaking on the occasion, Premier Singh said: “When I look at the opportunities, I am convinced that this country can move forward on a road to faster, more equitable growth.”
Flaying the recent comments by Varun Gandhi, Singh said that his pronouncements reflected the BJP mindset which he said was responsible for dividing the country along communal lines.
Turning Left, Singh said the parties were regressive and saddled with a “negative mindset” which cannot take the nation forward.
NDA and Third Front don’t have the capacity to meet the challenges facing the nation, the PM said.
On one of the most crucial questions facing his government and party, Singh said: “I can’t say we are fully satisfied with actions taken by Pakistan in connection with Mumbai attacks but no purpose will be served by creating war hysteria.”
“Pakistan must take next consequential steps to ensure perpetrators of Mumbai attacks are brought to justice,” he warned.
(Based on media reports)
