2014 polls: PM says he is taking Narendra Modi's challenge very seriously
PTI | New Delhi | December 6, 2013:: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday disagreed with those in the Congress who were dismissive of the challenge posed by Narendra Modi but asserted that the party would approach the 2014 Lok Sabha polls with self-confidence, irrespective of the results of the just concluded elections in five states.
"As it is an organised party, we cannot underestimate the power of Opposition to unsettle the ship of the state.
Therefore, I am one of those who take very seriously our opponents. There is no room for complacency," he said.
The Prime Minister was answering questions after delivering the keynote address at an event in Delhi.
Earlier in his address, Singh also criticised those who try to accuse the entire political class of being corrupt and spread cynicism.
"Over the past two years, some well meaning and concerned citizens tried to spread cynicism by accusing the entire political class of being corrupt and anti-people. Many began to suggest that democracy had not served India well. They attacked the institution of Parliament by refusing to respect Parliament's judgement," he said while asking the people to look at the "big picture".
Exit polls have predicted rout for Congress in the assembly polls to Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh when counting of votes takes place on Sunday.
Counting of votes for Mizoram will also take place the same day.
Notwithstanding the poll projections, the Prime Minister said, "Congress party is going to the elections with the spirit of self-confidence and that should not be mistaken whatever may be the outcome of the provinical elections.
He was asked about different views among his cabinet colleagues, one of whom has stated that the challenge posed by Modi should be taken seriously while another has dismissed the challenge posed by BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate.
Modi a challenge, says PM
GAURAV VIVEK BHATNAGAR | The Hindu | NEW DELHI | December 6, 2013:: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi did pose a challenge to the Congress and “there is no room for complacency.”
Dr. Singh was responding to a query if Mr. Modi is indeed a challenge the Congress should take very seriously, during the “Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here.
“As an organised political party, we cannot underestimate the power of opposition to unsettle the ship of the State. Therefore I am one of those who take very seriously our opposition, there is no room for complacency,” he said.
The Congress, he said, “is going into elections with a spirit of self-confidence and that should not be mistaken whatever may be the outcome of the Assembly elections.”
To a query on the need for and timing of the Communal Violence Bill, Dr. Singh said: “it is not a vote catching gimmick.” He declared that it was a bill “whose time had come.” He noted how in the last five or six years, the country was grappling with the problem of communal riots in one or the other part. In particular, the Prime Minister made a mention of the recent riots in Muzaffarnagar. “It was a reminder that although as a country we can take pride in our ability to protect all people of our country, yet there are times when that did not happen,” he said.
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