PM 3LST

To a specific question whether he would be ready to be
projected as Prime Ministerial candidate in the next
elections, Singh said "it is too early. We still have a long
way to go. I have to complete this term. It is too premature
to speculate who would be the Prime Ministerial candidate."
He was asked whether he was feeling bad as certain
embarrassing things were happening which were not in tune with
his nature.
"I have looked upon life as a learning and re-learning
process. It has been a great educational experience from civil
service to academic world to political world. This process of
learning, I relish that", he replied.
When told that he was an honest Prime Minister surrounded
by dishonest administration and a sense of drift was
prevailing, he said after the budget session, there will be a
restructuring and reshuffling of his cabinet.
"I will get back to the exercise once the budget session
is over", he said.
Asked whether the government would agree to the JPC on 2G
scam, he said "full efforts are being undertaken to see that
some way will be found (to ensure that Parliament functions).
I hope it will happen."
When a questioner asked whether he was ready for a JPC
and whether it was not being formed because he was reluctant
appear before it, he said "my position is that I am not afraid
of appearing before any committee. The PAC is a joint
parliamentary committee, presided over a senior member of the
opposition.
"I am fully prepared to appear before any committee
including a JPC. It is entirely wrong for an impression to go
that I was the one blocking it because I am afraid of
appearing before it. My conduct as a Prime Minister must be
like Caesar's wife should be above suspicion. I am ready to
appear before any committee", he said.
To a question about any rift within the UPA and whether
it would continue together, he said as far as the coalition
was concerned, "ours is a strong coalition and our allies are
strongly committed to strengthening the alliance. There is no
danger that inner tensions might break up this coalition".
On the controversial deal between Antrix, the commercial
arm of Indian Space Research Organisation and a private firm
Devas for allocation of S-band spectrum, Singh said the deal
has not been operationalised and the Cabinet Committee on
Security would soon take a decision on terminating it, a
decision on which was taken on July two last year.
He also rebutted reports that the PMO was involved in
back channel discussions as late as November last year with
Devas even as a decision was taken to terminate it.
"I have not talked to anybody.... The PMO has not talked
to anybody. The German Foreign Minister who had a meeting with
me did not raise this issue."
He said different departments including the Law Ministry
have recommended termination of the contract but there were
only procedural delays in implementing it. (More) PTI