Daily News

New Delhi: Manmohan Singh held his first formal press meet on Indian soil as prime minister during the second term of the UPA government at Vigyan Bhawan here on Monday. Here is what the PM said on various questions put to him.

On inflation and economy: The PM promises that inflation will be contained to six per cent by December, and that there will be 8.5% economic growth this fiscal. "It's not fair to say we have a weakened economy. There has been a crisis for the past 1.5 years, mostly due to drought and inflation. I expect the economy will grow by 8.5%." On Raja and corruption: The PM admits corruption is a problem but refused to act on allegations unless investigation is complete and evidence is found. On Naxals: The PM says Naxalism remains the biggest internal threat to the country, but remains silent on how to tackle the menace.

On Pakistan: The PM may have drawn flak for the post-26/11 diplomacy with Pakistan, but insists on reducing the 'trust deficit' with the neighbouring country as the way forward.

On dissent: The PM admits differences of opinions within the Cabinet. It is healthy if ministers express their differences freely, but not in public.

"I am pleased to tell you that the Cabinet in the last six years met almost every week. So ministers had plenty of opportunities to express their views. And I agree that these views should be first heard within the Cabinet. That's the right thing."

On Rahul Gandhi: The PM says Rahul Gandhi is qualified enough to be a good minister. He's willing to make way for Rahul if the party asks him to but he has a task at hand and is not thinking of retiring now.

On relations with Sonia: The PM says there is no mistrust between him and the Congress President Sonia Gandhi. "There is no mistrust between Sonia and me. There is no gap in thinking. There is no gap between me and the Congress president when it comes to doing things our government should be doing."

On his wife and Sonia: On whose advice is more suitable to him - between Sonia Gandhi and his wife Gursharan Kaur - he said both their suggestions play important roles in his life. "I am privileged to get constant advice from both Sonia Gandhi and my wife. Both of them deal with different subjects."

On his authority in the party: The party is not undermining me, says the PM, adding his legacy is for historians to judge. On Kashmir: The PM expresses his willingness to invite all militant groups in Kashmir for dialogue, but only after they abjure violence.

"We are willing to discuss all the outstanding issues and the only condition is that the Pakistan's territory should not be used for spreading terror in India and against India. I would like to reiterate to all non-political mainstream outfits in J&K that our government is ready for a dialogue after they shed the path of violence." Read more....