M A I N   N E W S

PM dares Oppn: Search my assets for any blemishes
Aditi Tandon/TNS

New Delhi, August 25
It was one of those rare occasions when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke impromptu in the Lok Sabha, daring the Opposition to search his assets for blemishes of corruption, if any. Wounded by personal attacks launched yesterday by BJP’s initiator for the corruption debate in the House Murli Manohar Joshi, the PM presented himself for the judgment of the Opposition on matters of probity during the 41 years of public life he has had.

“If any wrongdoing has been done by me, I invite the leader of the Opposition to look at my property. I would accept the verdict if she finds that I have used public office to amass wealth for myself or my relatives,” the PM said in his reply to the debate on corruption, which saw widespread participation in the aftermath of Anna Hazare’s campaign.

Though candid in admitting he had made mistakes, the PM mounted a strong defence for himself and the government.

“Joshiji made a powerful speech yesterday and turned it into a personal attack on me as if I am the fountainhead of corruption and have knowingly connived in the corruption of some of my colleagues. I consider beneath my dignity to argue over issues that are before the courts and the Public Accounts Committee. I may have made mistakes, but to accuse me of intent to connive in corruption is a charge I refute,” he said, adding that whatever the Opposition might say, India is respected globally for its economy and democratic set up.

In a well-measured speech that came straight from the heart, the PM argued that corruption was a multifaceted problem. “There is anger in the country about misuse of public offices. Both the Centre and states must clean up the public administration system,” he said.

He also referred to how he had inherited a bankrupt economy and turned it around, besides ending the licence practice regime which was a major source of corruption.

Throughout the reply, the PM called for the cooperation of states in ensuring a corruption-free India.