Don't want to give Advani the privilege: Manmohan

New Delhi, Apr 11: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday, Apr 10 said that he doesn't want to have a debate with BJP Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani for repeatedly calling him a 'weak PM', because doing that give Advani that privilege of being an 'alternative Prime Minister'.

Talking to the Indian Women's Press Corps, the Prime Minister said that abusing someone was against the Indian culture he has inherited.

"Using harsh language does not solve any problem and accentuates conflict," he said.

Commenting on Advani's challenge to have an American-style debate face off on the national television, he said that he can not match "Advaniji in public speaking or asserting things." He further said that he may not necessarily be a good speaker but is capable of taking decisions.

"The BJP has not allowed Parliament to function. The BJP shied away from all these discussions and now Advani wants to come and debate with me. And I don't want to give him the privilege that he is an alternative Prime Minister," he said.

When asked if he was planning to contest in the Lok Sabha polls he said, "There have been PMs from Rajya Sabha. Advani has to amend the constitution to ensure that his wishes prevail. Indira Gandhi had been one for one and half years, H D Deve Gowda, I K Gujral too."

Regarding withdrawal of candidature of Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, Singh said that Congress was sensitive to the feelings of the Sikh community and denied the allegations that Central Bureau on Investigation (CBI) report was manipulated.

OneIndia News