Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has ruled out his resignation on the issue of Ordinance on Representation of People Act which was criticized by the Congress Vice President after it was approved by the Union Cabinet last week.
Addressing media persons on board the special aircraft while on his way back to New Delhi after completing his 5 day tour to the United States, Dr. Singh said he will discuss the issue afresh in the Cabinet as also with Rahul Gandhi and try to understand his point of view.
The Union Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held this evening in New Delhi. Dr. Singh returned home last night after successful visit to the United States.
The Prime Minister described his meeting with US President Barack Obama and with his Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepali counterparts as useful. On Indo-US cooperation, he said the two countries are trying to move away from buyer-seller relationship.
On his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr. Singh said the two countries are moving forward towards normalisation of relationship. He said his meeting with Nawaz Sharif has set a stage forward towards improvement of ties. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that Nawaz Sharif succeeds in implementing all the good things which he has been saying about Indo-Pak relations.
Replying to a query regarding the next general elections, the Prime Minister said he sincerely hopes that all secular forces will combine together to face the onslaught of people like Narendra Modi.
Asked about the prospects of UPA coming to power again, Dr. Singh said UPA-2 government has done many good things for the people and expressed the hope that they will take into account all these good things before casting their vote.
He specially mentioned about National Food Security Programme and said its effective implementation is needed so that its benefits percolate down to the targeted population.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh while categorically ruling out his resignation said that Rahul Gandhi has not said anything which amounts to undermining his authority.
He said that India is a democracy where everybody has the right to express his opinion or view point on any issue and made it clear that the issue can be again thoroughly discussed.
Regarding the concerns of US Business Houses on investing in India, Dr. Singh said that these concerns are due to slowdown of Indian economy. Describing his meeting with Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif as a step forward in normalisation of relations, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that Nawaz Sharif succeeds in implementing all the goods things which he has been saying about Indo-Pak relations.
However, he made it clear that first step has to be peace and tranquility on the Line of Control.
