Sivasagar (Assam), March 29 (IANS) In his first campaign rally for this general election, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who steps down at the end of his 10-year tenure in May, Saturday criticised the BJP saying it has always played "a destructive role".
Manmohan Singh, 81, an economist who once headed the country's Reserve Bank and rose to be the prime minister, while addressing a rally for Congress' candidate from Khumtai in Assam, described the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a divided house without any direction.
"Their centre of attention is just one man," he said in a reference to BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
"While in opposition, they have always played a destructive role. How can a party which divides the society give a good government?" he asked.
A prime minister since May 2004, Manmohan Singh has already declared that he is not seeking a third term and will demit office after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Though he received requests from various states to campaign fo the Congress candidates, Manmohan Singh chose to go electioneering in Assam, a state he represents in the Rajya Sabha.
Addressing the public rally here, the prime minister said poverty declined three times faster under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
"No other decade has recorded as much development as there has been in the last 10 years," he said in a reedy voice.
The prime minister also said special attention was given to the marginalised and underprivileged in the society during his two terms.
He also listed the achievements of his government in sectors like health, agriculture, education and infrastructure development.
Manmohan Singh said the UPA government had laid special emphasis on the youth and several steps were taken to provide them skill training.
He admitted the failure of his government to check price rise "as much as was expected" and dismissed the allegations of corruption during the UPA's tenure, and said that no government in the past had worked as much as his to check graft.
"We have ensured that the guilty in all instances are punished. We want to bring more acts to tighten the noose, but the BJP has not been cooperating," he said.
More than 13 lakh pilgrims have registered for the Char Dham Yatra so far, but within two weeks o
Experts discuss how to control money power in polls
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Controlling money in elections, bringing buying of votes within the
Bharat Ratna, Padma awards conferred on prominent people
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) India's high civilian honours - the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards -
Bangladesh will take part in a tri-series in New Zealand in September-October as part of preparat
Vice president Hamid Ansari casts vote
New Delhi, Feb 7 (IANS) Vice President Hamid Ansari Saturday cast his vote in the Delhi assembly
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday held a digital press conference. During this, he
Rural flavour in Rajasthan's royal Sara Vilas (Travelogue)
Mandawa (Rajasthan), March 1 (IANS) Golden yellow mustard fields, long winding roads, shimmerin
This new launch smartwatch is available at a discount of 83%, its dial is the biggest feature
Amazon Deal On Smartwatch: Don't miss to check out your choice and budget options on Amazon befor
The central government decided to reduce the interest rates on small savings on the last day of t
Petrol Diesel Price: Oil companies have released the prices of petrol and diesel for today. Today
