Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gradually prepares for exit

, April 25: Prime Minister

is gradually getting ready for his departure. The 81-year-old Congress leader, who announced his withdrawal from the race to become the prime minister for a third possible term in January, is likely to meet the members of the Planning Commission for a final time on April 30. [

]

According to political observers, this might be the official beginning of Singh's departure. The economist-politician served in the top post for a decade and weathered several storms. The latest in the series of controversies that Singh faced as the PM broke out after a book penned by his former media advisor Sanjaya Baru described him as a rubber-stamp. It said that all the real power was wielded by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Manmohan Singh is set to meet members of Planning Commission on April 30

Singh has already said that he would not stay at the 7 Race Course Road, the official residence of the prime minister of India, once the results of the ongoing Lok Sabha election come out on May 16. He is also set to vacate his apartment in Dispur in Assam, the state which he represents in the Rajya Sabha.
Singh is also set to invite dignitaries to his residence over dinner the next month and is likely to wind up by inviting his colleagues in the United Progressive Alliance government.

Oneindia News