Facing regular criticism that his leadership was “weak” due to his silence on various key issues, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday came out with all guns blazing.
Referring to mass massacre on the streets of Ahmedabad during Narendra Modi’s regime, Manmohan said that it would be a disastrous if he becomes Prime Minister of this country.
After announcing retirement from Prime Ministership, it seemed that Manmohan Singh was a tension free man. Manmohan, who usually keeps himself away from making harsh political remarks, looked an experienced Congress leader.
Interacting with the media for the third time during his nine-and-half years tenure as Prime Minister, Manmohan made it clear that he was not in the race of PM post in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. When asked to comment on anointment of Congress or UPA’s PM candidate in advance, he reiterated Congress President’s statement that party would announce its PM candidate at the appropriate time.
Initially, he tried to duck the questions on PM candidate but was forced to speak about Rahul Gandhi when some scribes asked whether he wants to see ‘Congress Yuvraaj’ as PM.
“Rahul Gandhi has ‘outstanding credentials’ for the top job,” PM recated sharply.
Though, the Prime Minister provided the most important line for the media and netizans when he replied to a question related to potential contest between Rahul and Modi in 2014 General Elections.
Singh said, "I sincerely believe that it will be disastrous for the country to have Narendra Modi as prime minister. If by strong prime minister you mean you preside over mass massacre of innocent citizens on the streets of Ahmedabad, if that is the measure of strength, I do not believe that that this country needs that kind of strength."
All of a sudden the central idea of the 75-min-long presser stuck to PM’s scathing attack on Modi. All the social networking websites, including Twitter and Facebook flooded in with reactions over the PM’s remark. Congress leaders soon realized that this was the most welcome statement from Manmohan.
But overconfident Congress leaders didn’t remember the fact that raking up Gujarat riot issues during polls had already backfired. Even Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other party leaders didn’t raise Gujarat riot issue after 2007 poll debacle in the state.
During 2007 assembly elections, Sonia Gandhi had called Modi a ‘killer’, giving saffron party to convert the statement in massive victory after elections.
However, Prime Minister believes that Congress and UPA may storm back to power by raising Gujarat riots. After the press conference, BJP hit back strongly on Manmohan’s statement.
BJP President Rajnath Singh while condemning the PM's remarks, said that it was unfortunate he was saying this even after the clean chit given to him by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a court.
But all eyes will be glued on Narendra Modi. Team Modi, who is actively involved in making strategy for 2014 elections, definitely got an opportunity to target Congress. For sure, Team Modi will have geared up to convert this statement into a lethal weapon. And more interestingly, Modi will also give some twist to this statement during his rally.
If BJP and Modi raise this sensitive issue successfully, it will be the second time after Sonia’s killer remark when Congress will receive wound from its own arrow.
PM’s remark gives ‘lethal weapon’ to Modi!
no but seriously as a well wisher of India, I would go with an educated man like MMS or even wise guys like Advani, but not with types of Modi. rest is ofcourse your nation, your country, your choice, I can only pray for good to happen in a brother nation.
