NCP moots Manmohan as PM candidate

NCP’s chief spokesman DP Tripathi says Singh has functioned in a most democratic manner and he is honest, transparent and there is no controversy against him.

Days after Sharad Pawar praised the prime minister, his party NCP on Thursday suggested that Manmohan Singh be projected as the UPA's PM candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections.

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“Manmohan Singh has functioned in a most democratic manner heading the coalition and he is honest, transparent and there is no controversy against him,” NCP’s chief spokesman DP Tripathi said. He said that a coalition government especially needed a Prime Minister like Singh.

NCP is the first among the dozen odd constituents of the UPA, which has expressed its view on the issue. The Congress has been shying away in the matter saying that the issue could be decided when elections come. “Why to speak about the issue now when there is no vacancy,” has been the refrain of Congress spokespersons.

Asked what the NCP thinks about young leader Rahul Gandhi, often projected by Congress as a future leader and a potential Prime Minister, Tripathi remarked “Let the Congress first take a decision about Rahul. As far as NCP is concerned, we offer our best wishes.”

However, he said Congress has not yet learnt the coalition culture at the Centre and it was time they learnt from their own experience in Kerala where it is heading the opposition United Democratic Front.