Manmohan Singh to address press conference on Jan 3; PMO says he won't quit
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- Category: Delhi political News
- Last Updated: Thursday, 22 January 2015 20:52
PM Manmohan Singh to hold press meet on Jan 3, PMO clarifies he won't quit:
New Delhi: Amid growing clamour within the Congress to name party's prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address a press conference on January 3.
Manmohan Singh will hold a press conference at 11 am on January 3 at the National Media Centre.
The press conference will be Singh’s second such interaction in his second term as the Prime Minister, which began in May 2009 though he has met five editors and a group of television editors once each. He had addressed a press conference in his first term (2004-2009).
Importantly, the PM has decided to interact with the media ahead of the All-India Congress Committee session on January 17 that may see party workers clamour for formally naming Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate.
Also the press conference comes amid speculation that Singh may announce that he will make for Rahul Gandhi.
In September, the Prime Minister had described Rahul Gandhi as an ideal PM candidate for 2014 and even added for effect, that he would be happy to serve under him. 'ZEENEWS'
In a major shift from his earlier stand of keeping the option of seeking a third term open, Singh has reportedly conveyed to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi that he wants to step aside.
While most Congress leaders, including finance minister P Chidambaram, have been pitching for Rahul Gandhi to be declared as the party's PM nominee ahead of the General Elections, a formal decision in this regard is expected at the AICC session on January 17.
At the press conference, which is likely to set the tone for the Congress election agenda in 2014, Singh is likely to clear air about accusations by the political rivals of not having done enough in his two terms and talk about his works in the past 10 years.
He might also officially opt himself out of the prime minister's race after the 2014 elections. News By 'indiatoday'