No question of retirement: PM

Into his seventh year in office, prime minister Manmohan Singh today ruled out retirement since his tasks remain "unfinished" but offered to make way for a younger leader if the Congress party wanted that.

At a 75-minute press conference, his third in the capital since he first became the prime minister in 2004, Singh scotched speculation of "mistrust and distrust" between him and party president Sonia Gandhi, saying that there was "not an iota of truth" in that.

He was asked whether he would make way for Rahul Gandhi to take over during his current tenure which will end in 2014 and whether the thought of retirement came to his mind. 

In a carefully-crafted response, Singh told over 700 journalists, "I have been given this task (of prime ministership). It is still unfinished. Till I finish the tasks, there is no question of retirement."

At the same time, he said he himself felt sometimes that younger people should take over. "As and when, the Congress party makes that judgment, I will be very happy to make place for anybody chosen by the party," he said.

At another point, the 77-year-old leader said Rahul Gandhi was "very qualified" to join his cabinet and he had talked to him about it several times but the young leader wanted to focus more on building the party.

"Whenever he (Rahul) is ready, he would be an appropriate addition to the cabinet," the prime minister said

During the press conference that was telecast live nationwide and that coincided with the completion of one year of UPA-II, Singh answered questions on a range of issues including price rise, Naxalism, terrorism and relations with Pakistan.

Dismissing speculation about lack of coordination between the government and the party, the prime minister said he meets Sonia Gandhi every week to discuss some major issues and continued to receive "advice and guidance" from her.

To a question, Singh said he had renewed his offer to 39-year-old Rahul to join the government but he has always been reluctant.

"Rahul is very qualified to hold a cabinet post. I have discussed with him on a number of occasions though I don't remember exactly the date when I discussed with him last," Singh said.

He said as and when Rahul decides to join the cabinet he
would be given an appropriate role.

Singh, however, deftly evaded a question on the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle or expansion, saying this could not be announced at a press conference and the media would come to know whenever there is any such move. 

Delving on internal security, the prime minister said Naxalism had emerged as the "biggest" challenge and the government was working on "systemic changes" to deal with this as well as terrorism.

Referring to Kashmir, Singh, who will be visiting the state next month, said the government was ready to talk to all to those outside the political mainstream if they shun violence. 

To a question on Indo-Pak ties, Singh said "trust deficit" between the two neighbouring countries was the "biggest problem" coming in the way of any improvement in bilateral relations.

Singh also said India is willing to discuss all outstanding issues with Pakistan but it should ensure that its soil is not used for terrorism against this country.

On the forthcoming dialogue between foreign ministers of the two countries, Singh said India is going to make a new beginning in improving the bilateral relations, which have seen a chill after the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.

"It has been my effort to try to reduce the gap between our two countries without surrendering or affecting our vital national interest," Singh said.