Date:24/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/24/stories/2006122407640800.htm

National

Manmohan remarks only a lip movement: Amar Singh

Lucknow : Reacting to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks on the leadership in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said on Saturday that political compulsions forced him to make such statements ahead of Assembly polls.

"He is not the real leader of his party. He is only making lip movement. But, you know whose voice it is," the SP leader told reporters here.

Advising Dr. Singh to consult economist Montek Singh Ahuluwalia before making any statement on Uttar Pradesh's development, he said the State had a surplus budget while others were running on deficit.

He said the Prime Minister's remarks were his "last message" to Congress workers before the party became a political non-entity in the polls.

In a sharp but veiled attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Prime Miniser said in New Delhi that the State "desperately" needed a leadership that is "forward looking and modern." — PTI