PLENARY LD PM 2

In his speech, the Indian Prime Minister dwelt on a
number of issues ranging from Naxalism to the National Food
Security Act, India's ties with various countries including
Pakistan, terrorism, economy and agriculture as also on the
party organisation.
He noted that the Plenary session was taking place at
a time when "various charges are being levelled against our
party and our government. Our objectives and principles are
being suspected.Our record is being questioned for partisan
political ends. It is being alleged that we are not
sufficiently sensitive to the issue of corruption".
Attacking the BJP for not sacking B S Yeddyurappa, he
said, "We are not like some opposition parties which insist on
retaining the tainted Chief Minister despite scandal after
scandal.
Yeddyurappa is facing allegations of corruption in
land scams.
"Our approach to corruption also gets clearly
reflected in our actions. Whether at the Centre or in the
States, we have asked our Ministers and Chief Ministers to
step down merely on the basis of suspicion because we practice
and believe in principled politics," Singh said, apparently
referring to the resignation of A Raja as Telecom Minister in
the wake of the 2G scam and the resignation of Ashok Chavan as
Maharashtra Chief Minister on the Adarsh scam.
Sending a message that his government was sensitive
on the issue of corruption, he said if there were any
shortcoming in the functioning of the government, "we will
address them so that we can be more effective in our efforts
to contain corruption."
Seeking the cooperation of Congressmen in the
endeavour, Singh told them that as responsible citizens "if
you come across corrupt practices, you must make your best
effort to prevent and expose them".
Noting that Parliament is the best forum to keep a
watch on and improve the functioning of the government, he
said Parliament is at the centre of the country's democratic
edifice.
Targeting the opposition, he wondered what kind of
politics the opposition believes in when they "do not have
faith in Parliament".
Turning to the issue of terrorism, he said after his
government came to power again in the last elections, it has
endeavoured its best to strengthen natinoal security in the
wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
"Since the Mumbai 2008 attack, terrorist activities
have come down. However, the Pune bomb blast in last February
and the recent incident in Varanasi remind us of the need to
constantly remain on our guard", he said, adding the "fight
against terrorism is a long one and we are fully prepared for
it". MORE PTI