Manmohan Singh says Reforms will continue

The new Manmohan Singh government will accord top priority to sustain high economic growth so that India doesn’t lag behind other Asian countries. Soon after he was formally elected as the Congress party’s prime ministerial candidate, Singh also made it clear today that reforms would continue.

“The challenges before us are daunting. Many nations in Asia are marching ahead. The world is experiencing a shift in the dynamics of growth from the West to the East. We cannot afford to miss this bus now. We cannot afford to lag behind the rising economies of the East,” Singh told his colleagues at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting today.

The ministers will be given time-bound targets for implementing the election promises and the programmes and policies. Singh also announced that he would undertake quarterly review of programme implementation by each ministry. “To make growth inclusive, we must also ensure that we can sustain growth. This requires new investment. This requires better management of our finances. This requires reform of the economy. This requires revitalisation of agriculture and acceleration of industrial development. We have to continue to keep our savings and investment rates high and become more globally competitive, so that we can face global economic challenges,” he said.

As his government takes charge in the middle of global recession, the PM has laid emphasis on reviving economic growth and creating new employment opportunities. At the same time, he said that growth has to be more inclusive. Sonia Gandhi, elected as the new CPP chairperson, also said, “we have received a generous mandate, but one that comes with onerous responsibilities. We have won an election but also undertaken a serious obligation. We have awakened new hopes, and it is now our task to respond to the very aspirations.”

Emphasising internal security is a “top most priority” for the new government, Singh also said, “Our neighbourhood remains troubled by civil conflict, extremism and terrorism. We need a government that is vigilant and effective in dealing with the threat of terrorism and extremism. I assure you that we will not be found wanting in this regard.”

While the PM talked about working closely with state governments to ensure better implementation of schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Rural Health Mission, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and other programmes for SC, ST, OBC and minorities, he has also laid emphasis on new investments.

“If we can sustain the growth rates of the last five years, we can reduce poverty, create new employment, accelerate rural development and industrialisation, transform the lives of our people. The period ahead could be decisive. We must grasp the nettle firmly and forge ahead,” he told his colleagues.

While its new government aims to provide a re-energised and improved government, the Congress, riding high with the success of 206 Lok Sabha seats, is now eyeing absolute control of political power at the Centre in future.

At the CPP meeting, the top leadership made it clear that while it was still dependent on allies this time, it wants to come to power on its own next time.

“The people of India have given us an impressive mandate. But we have to work harder and better to secure a wholesome mandate entirely in our favour,” the prime minister said at the meeting. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee too, echoed similar sentiments and said, “This is the beginning of the second phase of Congress’ own rule in the country. We have to complete the process by the next election.”

Manmohan Singh also made it clear that the mandate has come with “rising expectations”. “The youth of India have voted in large numbers for our party. But it is in the nature of youth to be impatient. They will not tolerate ‘business as usual’. They expect us to work with renewed energy,” he said.

Gandhi, as expected, was unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary party today. She, however, didn’t name Manmohan Singh as the PM candidate of the party but directly announced Singh’s name as “the Prime Minister”. She also had a message for all ministerial aspirants: “They should not lose heart. The party is much more than membership of Parliament or the legislatures. There is important work to be done by one and all.”