PM lashes out at Advani for calling him 'weakest PM'

     New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today sharply criticised the Opposition parties, especially the BJP, for calling him the weakest prime minister (the country has ever had), and said that his political adversaries should instead assess him by the performance of the Government. The Prime Minister said this while addressing his second annual press conference since he assumed the office in May 2004. Admitting that he gets regular "advice and suggestions" from his party president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, he said it's good that she gives all possible help in running the UPA government. "She has considerable influence on the performance of the government," DR Singh said. Taking a dig at the Leader of Opposition, LK Advani, the Prime Minister said that he (Advani) should first look at his status in his own party - the BJP. "When he had visited Karachi and paid homage to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the RSS had severely criticised him....where was he then." "I should not be judged by what Mr Advani says, but what I do. My government has achieved a growth rate of 7 to 7.5 percent and we aim to take it even higher from l8 to 10 percent in the next three years. . The Savings Rate is nearly 29 percent and is expected to go up by 4-5 percent in the next 4-5 years," he added.

     Replying to a question that how he felt while treading a tight rope of coalition politics, especially the often critical remarks from the CPI-M, Singh said that he was aware of the compulsions of the coalition politics but those were inherent part of a coalition government. "In a coalition, pressures from the partners are expected......it gives a chance of introspection," he said. Evading a question about the issue of tainted politicians being included in governments, he said this issue had to be jointly addressed by all the parties and not single party. "One single party can't do anything in this," he added. The issue had gained significance after the recent re-induction of JMM chief Shibu Soren as Coal Minister, who was removed nearly six months ago after an old murder case against him was re-opened. About the question of active politicians being appointed as Governors, he said, "being a politician was not a disqualification for being a Governor". Admitting that the Congress' vote bank had been eroded in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said - "The Congress is not as strong in UP and Bihar as it should have been."

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