People will judge my performance as a politician: Singh

On Board Air India One, Oct 18 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said it was for the people of the country to judge if he was successful as a politician.

''As Bhagavat Gita says, one must do one's duty,'' he told mediapersons when asked if he was still a reluctant politician or enjoying political power or was continuing in the post because the Congress could not find an alternative leader to head the government.

Talking to mediapersons on board the special aircraft on way back from his five-day tour of Nigeria and South Africa, Dr Singh said he had carried out well all the responsibilities that had been entrusted to him (by the Congress Party).

''I have done well my duty, regardless of the consequences,'' he said, adding that ''it is now for the people and the country and the people to decide.'' Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit last week, Dr Singh said politicians tend to become short-term maximisers. It was for this reason that democratic and plural societies needed a social group capable of long-term thinking.

UNI