This Article is From Sep 07, 2013

Rahul Gandhi is an ideal choice for the PM's post, says Manmohan Singh

PM Manmohan Singh on board the special aircraft during his return from the G20 summit in Russia

On Board PM's Special Aircraft: In a categorical endorsement of the Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi as the party's prime ministerial candidate in 2014, PM Manmohan Singh, responding to a question from NDTV, said today that he was ready to accept any role in the party after the general elections, due by May 2014.

"Rahul Gandhi would be ideal for the Prime Minister's position after the 2014 elections. I would be very happy to work for the Congress party under the leadership of Mr Gandhi," Mr Singh said on board the special aircraft upon his return from the G20 summit in Russia. (Read: BJP slams PM)

Alluding to the opposition BJP's attack over the missing files in the Coal-Gate scam, Mr Singh said, "I am an open book." (Read: Full transcript of PM's briefing)

When asked whether he was ready for questioning in the coal scam, like he had offered in the 2G issue, he said "I have not prevented anybody from looking at my conduct."

The BJP recently has stepped up its attack on the Prime Minister over the missing files demanded by the CBI in its ongoing probe into coal blocks allocation.

In a clear message to Pakistan, the Prime Minister said terror acts from across the border must stop. He accused the Nawaz Sharif government of making no significant progress in bringing the culprits of the Mumbai attacks to book.

"There are certain harsh realities on the ground. Steps need to be taken for those who voice terrorist thoughts and move freely in Pakistan," the Prime Minister said in his reference to Hafiz Saeed, supposed to be the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks.

"Under normal circumstances, I would be happy to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif," Mr Singh said.

80-year-old Mr Singh also did not rule out any alliance with former ally Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in future, saying a week is a long time in politics in which there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends. "I don't rule out alliances," he said.
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